New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1855-08-28
YCRESCENT
n NOBLE ACT,


ffrutenant Beali, Of the United States NAVY.
ia already known to the country, having parti-
cularly distinguished himself on several tcca-
sions as bearer Of important dispatches to and
from California. both through the heart of
Mexico during the war, and across The prairies
and Rocky Mountains, forcing his way with
equal spirit through civilized and sassge ens-
mes. AS a gallant naval officer and intrepid
traveller, with the courage to face ard energy
TO overcome every difficulty and peril, we can
we'll believe he has no superior; but We haya
recently heard an anecdole told Of him, being
the account Of a circumstance which happened
on the last journey TO California, from which he
has only 80 lately returned, which, while it
illustrates the dangers of the road, proves that
there Is another quality in him higher than
mere resolution and bravery---a humane and
generous disposition. which gives to those vir-
tues the character Of hsroism
II was. we believe, IN the Gila country that
Lieut.. BealL having encamped his party and
placed it in safety, went ont bunting He set
out alone ON favorise saddle mare which was
generally kept or spared for such occasions
Ab1utsix miles from the camp he had the good
fortune 70 kill deer; and he was on the ground
Dressing the carcass, when, on looking up, he
suddenly behsld troop of mounted Apaches,
VINO had disco oyered him, and were dashiDg fari-
onrsiy towards him. They had doubtless heard
tue report OF seen the smoke of his rifle, and 30
were on him before he was aware; but be knew
very well that to be oyertaken by them, single
white man among those naked hllls which they
called their own, was certain death, and accord
ingly, leaving his quarry and mounting in hot
hsstehe relied upon the mettle Of his mare, which
be put TO her full speed, TO carry him back In
safety to the camp. Away darted the young
Lieutenant, and on rushed the savages, thunder
ing ard yelling in certain assurance Of their
prey. But confident as they were, the fugitive
was quite as well satisfied Of his ability TO es-
cape, although their horses were fresher than
the mare, and it was pretty certain they were
gaining slightly upon her, and would give her a
severe contest before reaching the camp.
Thus assured Of his safety, but not relaxing
his speed, Lieutenant B. had recovered half
his distance from the camp, when, dashing over
the crest of hill, he Has horrihed at the sight
OF one OF his own men, foot, climbing the hill,
and In fact, following in his trail to assist him
| in the hunt. The sight of the Lieutenant flying
down the hill at such furious rate, was,
doubtless, enough perhaps the poor fellow could
hear the whoops Of the Indians ascending the
hill from the opposite side at all event he un-
derstood his fate, and spreading his arms before
/ the horses head be cried ont, with accents OF
despair, ssOh, Mr.. Beall, save mel am
4 husband, and father of six helpless childrent"
Never was prayer more quickly heard or more
heroically answered. - 800 ~
IIhe lieutenant, though riding for his OWE
| life, Immediately stopped his mare and dis
mounted, and giving her to the man, said: !:
t..You shall be saved. Ride back to the camp,
and send them out to give my body decent
burial!' And go they parted-the footman to
escape, the officer as he supposed to be slain ;
for the hill was utterly bare, without single
hiding place, and he thought Of nothing bat
selling his life as dear as possible. For this
4 purpose ne drew his revolver, and, sitting down
/ on the ground, waited for the savages. who in
| a moment came rushing over the brow Of the
hill, and then, to the unspeakabie amazt ment Of
1 Lieutenant Beall. dashed past him down ths de-
scent like madmen, not 8 soul In fact seeing
him They saw, in reality, nothing but the
horse and horseman; they knew nothing Of
footman, and the sitting figure Of the Lieuten-
ant appeared, to eyes only bent on one astrae-
1 tive object, as q stone or huge cactus, such as
) abound on those sterile hills. '+7 tl 4's
Il At all events, Lieutenant Beau, by what
seemed to himself almost q direct provldentlal
interposition in his behalf, remained wholly I'M.
discovered; and in moment more the Apachet
were cut of sight, ssill pursuing the horse and
the rider to the camp. The latter barely sue
ceeded in escaping with his Life, the lndiani
! having overhauied him 80 closely just as h'
reached the camp as to be able TO lhfiict one Of
s | TWO slight wounds upon him. with bullets, o.
5 perhaps with arrows, AS for lieutenant Beall
= he was not slow TO take advantage Of his goo
7 fortune, and selecting a roundabout course. h
succeeded in reaching the camp just about th
time the poor fellow whom he had saved, an
the other members of the party, were abou
sallying out toobey his last request, and Civ
i his body decent burial
Il Upon such an act as this it we're superfiuous
co mment. 1t is an acl, however, which deserve
To live in mems recolleeticns Like the story Of
eres battle and victory. a .r554.
IPhiladelphia North American