Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-06-06

A NOBLE AND TRUE-HEARTED FRESHMAN.
The name of William C. Bennett the naval engi-
neer who met by Lieutenant Strain on the 18TH
mus of Darien, should be widely published and uni
versally cherished by all who respect the highest
qualities of generosity and humanity. Mr.. Eeadly
has, in several numbers of Harpers Magazine given
the reading public idea of the awful sucrings of
the gallant men who were engaged in the Darien
exploring eXpedtion-many of whom persisted by
absolute starvation. To the almost superhuman
ergy of the officer in conlmand-Lieutenant Strain
is to be attributed the safety of those who survived
When Strain had at length found his way through
to the settlements, he fortunately encountered Mr..
Bennett "tall, wcll-formed, manly, noble Irish
man." Strain, says the account, was reduced by
long starvation from one hundred and forty-five
pounds in weight to SerentytCe covered with sores;
and clad in such habiliments as the negro Alcade
could furnish him, looking like beggar he APP
preached the table where Bennett engaged with
his drawings AS Strain drew near Mr.. Bennett
accosted him rather sterny, saying, "Well sir what
do you want?" The former replied, az am Lieutcn-
ant Strain, Commander of the United States explo-
ring expedition" ''lfy God r exclaimed the warm
hearted man as he caught him in his arms and
pressed him to his BOSOM while the tears rolled down
his checks; "Ah!" said he Eve had given YOU up
long ago as lost" He ordered dinner at once told
Strain he must remain there and recruit while he
himself though tken lame, would go back for his
comrades This Strain declined. He then supplied
him with provisions, brought out nearly all the clo
thing he had forced on Strain his poncho turned
his medicine chest and his yockets inside out say
ing, Take these to the poor men,"
This was at o'clock in the afternoon and at s.
p M, Strain was on his way back to the
Bennett remained to meet the Virago, British
vessel, which was soon expected. As soon as her
guns were heard he hurried on board and by his
earnest representations hurried forward with Lieu
tenant Forsyth and a company who had been sent
TO Strains assistance. Having joined Strain at va
visa, the party pushed forward succor the perish
ing. The difficulties encountered were so great that
when 1t was found that the exploring company had
turned back towards the Atlantic Strain had reason
IN hat Tic
fuse to advance. No could tell how far the party
might be, and the search involved the same dangers
from which Strain had barely escaped with his life.
Bennett knew the danger, and spoke Of the antici-
pated crisis of revolt advising Strain to try and
custom his swollen feet to the use of boot saying
You knoao oohen all shall turn 5ack you and mast
shoutder oar hoUersacks and take to the goods azone
tiW aoe7 find y0ur men," This noble selfdevotion
says Headly, of a stranger and foreigner-this
grand high purpose to cast his lot in with the dis
tressed commander, and save his party, or perish
with them-reveals of those lofty elevated char
acters which shed lustre on the race.
The natives gave out the next day, and Strain was
compelled to draw his revolver and threaten their
lives, to compel them to proceed. Two days after
they fortunately overlook the remains of the party
five of whom had persisted.
We have never read ola more thrilling scene than
that OF this rescue-four five of the party only
were able to- keep their feet and meet their comman
der on the shore Several died afterwards from the
effects of their privations. The whole party were
reduced to mere skeletons-there they lay, lacera-
ted, liberated, frames of men, half covered with
rags. Some were so changed, from emaciation, that
Strain himself could not recognize them they
stretched upon the ground, unable to get up. AS
Bennett, the noble Irishman, jumped ashore, and
saw the hideous spectacles of Scared and almost
ked skeletons, he seized each one by the hand
while tears poured like rain down his cheeks
The reader will be glad to hear that this noble
stranger received, in separate letter from the Sec
rotary of the Navy, the thanks of our government
for his devotion and his services.
Utica O6server