True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-03-01


We stood gazing in speechless horror on
the fearful drama. Like the writhing ana
conda, sinking into apathetic repose after
the demolition of his prey, the CLASSY river
rolled with sinister smiles above its VIC
tins and settled into calm tranquility be-
meath the cold rays Of the pitiloss moon
Those wild dospairing cries were hushed
forever.
With hearts awe-stricken and oppressed
by all We had witnessed simultaneously,
we turned to enter the cabin. But if all
was now tranquil without, wild adnlix-
ture Of pain and grief, of sorrow and suf-
fering, which no pen could describe, avail
ted us within. More than thirty wretched
objects were roaming restlessly up and
down our cabin, wringing their hands,
either in the anguish Of mental woe or the
agony of physical suffering. The helpless
passengers of the ill-fated Swan, who had
been rescued from watery grave, shiver-
ing in dripping garments, they stood, be-
wailing cherished wife or cherub child
sunk beneath the rushing wave; or with
chilled and lacerated limbs, they mingled
howls and curses with the most piteous
and impatient implorations for relief.
1nvoluntarily, I drew my hands across
my brow, to shut out the narrowing spec
tacle. How fervently did I there offer up
my thanks to Him, who had mercifully
preserved US from similar fate
But there was no time for inaction.-
Our own passengers were still paralyzed
with fear. Every thing had trsnspired SO
rapidly that most were yet under the i'm
preston that we were sinking, nor knew
that in collision with another boat our own
had sustained but very little damage.
Prompt assistance was required for the
unfortunate survivors, and few were in a
condition to offer it. Alice was the only
lady who seemed to have preserved any
presence of mind. Milman was near her,
agitated, and, for the first time that had
ever seen him so, deprived of self-control;
yet it was evidently not the effect of fear.
Our captain and officers were, with gen.
erous humanity, making every effort to al
leyiate the suferings Of the unfortunate
passengers.
There was a demand for scissors, to cut
away the lacerated skin and flesh hanging
in shreds from some unfortunate sufferers
arm. Alice Sprang so seek the article re-
quired.
"You set me good example," said Mil
man. ~ have some little skill in surgery
myself-and now is the time for its exer-
ton"
It was well that he had, for the only
medical character on board was confined
to his state-room by illness, and unable t.
afford the least assistance. Milman, how
ever, Immediately assumed the command
of affairs, and, like ruling spirit, infused
something like system into the wild disor
der and confusion reigning around. Will
perfect self-reliance, he applied his owl
remedies, dressing their wounds with tht
most careful tenderness, and at length sue
ceeding, to some extent, in mitigating tn,
intense anguish of the sufferers.
Alice, too, stood near, pale, and will
compressed lips, yet energetic and usefu
truly "a ministering angel"
1t is only such scenes of uncommon tria
which shadow forth the real lineaments Q
character, Gas darkness shows us worlds @
light we never saw by day" l had sur
posed that Milman, from constant expo
. sure to the garish light of fashionable SC
. ciety, had become merely brilliant, bu
, cold and unimpressible crystalizatior
, whose induratcd spirit could scarcely NOV
out Of its own sphere, to sympathize yer
, deeply with the sorrows of humanity; nc
: had dreamed of discovering such strengt
: of will and powers Of self-command in tn
a character of my merry little Alice. Bu
how mistaken! Of all our large compl,
ment of passengers, they, alone, SCENE
e actuated by the tenderest spirit of compa
g sion, and capable of rendering efficient an
n valuable aid.
l. Unfortunately, however, with many, a
r sistance was of no avail. During I'll
: night, more than dozen had found reli
e from suffering, in death. We made the
:, graves that morning, but upon the solital
: shore; no band of mourners was there, l
l. prayers were said, no hymns were sun
b but train of melancholy winds swe
bowling by, the silvsry cotton-wsedS abe