The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-04-09
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| 'hush1Sni, tuaL tne Sl1nt OF q nrSt class
steam ship irresislibly extorts from the
beholder. The grandeur and power of
the monster, rs she bears down, pulling
and scattering the white foam on either
s'de-the elegance of her finish an1 SYM
metry OF her actions, and the splcndor of
her decorations must be seen, in order to
be rightfully appreciated.
1t was at ebJ tide, and the Cherokee
could not reach the pier, where vessels of
smaller calibre mi sht have easily APP
preached. She came to anchor some dis
tance out in the water, and number of
small boats sho, off from the shore for
the accommodation Of the passcngers.-
Every one who has witnessed similar in
stances, Knows the rush that is made
among passengers, in order to be first;
as If life and death depended upon the ef-
foit, and without any heed to the author
ty, which says, the first shall be last and
the last shall be first The present in
stance was no exception to the general
rule, and all were anxious to got Oft in the
first boat. Ladies should, of course, have
the preference, but even this is not always
conceded. In one Of the boats designed
expressly for them, several gentlemen had
seated themselves, and when on the point
) of being rowed off, some one remarked.
that it was too full, and the same instant
an old gentleman, still in the vessel, called
out TO young lady in the boat:
"Come back my daughter, don't ven
ture in that boat"
She rose to obey, but it WAS too late.
The oarsinan had already pulled stroke,
Which causing her TO lose her balance, she
was immediately rrecipitaicI overheard.
lhcre were many present, however, who
would have eagerly attempted her Rescue,
: had not voice ll,at was heard above the
clamor and confusion, giving the terrible
warning that the harbour was flied with
3 sharks, and mt the same moment, the
form OF one of these monsters was seen
above the water, and proceeding in the
direction where the tide had hoated the
young lady. The wretcaed father, in An
t agony Of despair, cried:
"save, oh save my daughter! Will
, no one save my childw
} There was one to whom the appeal
WAS rot made i'll vain. Scarcely had
' the alarm been given, when Edward
!. Malcolm was seen rushing down the
/. side OF ,he vessel, and in moment
c had disappeared under the water. The
D dreaded cry Of sharks that appalled, the
t mariner, could not deter him from this act
= Of humanity. Every one acquainted with
, the habits Of these rapacious monsters OF
the deep, knows that their pencEant for
}, blood, is only equaled by their cowardly
D umid'ty, and that q dcxlcrous swimmer,
:, may, for time, evadc their attacks. Ed
= wards movements were rapid and sue
cessiul and lie succeeded in reaching the
banks safely, where he deposited his fair
burden, amidst the cheers and shonts OF
G ten thousand voices.
: By this act Of hcroism, Edward
r brought upon himself the enthusiastic
!, plaudits of this vast multitude, among
D.; whom he could not discern one familiar
=, face. The young lady was insensiblc, and
her aged father though fraught with anx
t iety for his daughter, did not forget to
= evince his gratitude to her prescrvcr.-
The crowd were clamorous in their con.
5 gra,ulations, and for some time, he could
not force his way through them, but AT
! length he succeeded, and calling hack,
: and telling the driver to take him to an
e hotel, he soon found himself the occupan,
:. of snug apartments ut the famous T.
), House.
, Edward now had time to reNec. upon
! his situation. 1t WAS by no means envia.
: ble; lie was in strange city, with not
G one friend or acquaintance, who might as.
G sst him in his efforts to obtain cmr low
J 'nent. iiit funds were nearly exhausted
d and it became, therefore, q matter Of ne.
/. cessty, that something should be done
4 lie could not Iepress u sight curiosity, 10
9 know more Of the party to when he bad
rendered sucli signal service, OH the instant
t Of his arrival; aud although the same IL.
dy had been on board the vessel with him,
, since they left New York, he had, perhaps,
. not bestowed upon her single glance
| bnt now that ho had, probably, sa, ed her
, life, he felt An interest in her, such as We
, naturally feel for those whom we have
been instrumental in serving, or who had
{, prospered under our guidance and protec
6 ton.
5 1t is a noble trait Of human nature
I and redeems many Of her faings.
!, Edward, however, had but few thoughts
!, to bestow upon others; his own situation
{ fully occupied lns attention. The coming
morrow would probably prove remarka
! ble era in his lifetime--the advent of =
new life to the Aristocratic youth, who had
E revelled in afiluencc and luxury from his
cradle. lie must be forced to ask EN-.
ployment, rs a means Of subsistence, and
9 with no surity that he will obtain it by
: asking, With such .houghts MS these. he
spent the first evening in Savannah but
e conscious in his own rectitals Of purpose
T he determined to nerve himself fos the
. worst.
I At an early hour he retired to rest, and
9 enjoyed degree Of repose, that he had
been a stranger 10. sincs he left Malcolm
& vile.