The Trinity journal., 1856-07-05

lHRli.LlNG NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. do
catch Ere sometimes We have had two or
three dreadful eorroberations of the unpleas-
ant fact Of late We came near being an
unconscious victim, once, Of such a calamity.
No matter when it vast is not long
ago, go,--however-and no matter which is the
boat---though we saw her yesterday at the
wharf, looking as innocent as an infant
We had departed for neiglboring city
Provided with all the daily papers, we had
taken q comfortable seat on the upper deck
TO enjoy the weather and the scenery
While thus engaged, the master OF the boat,
with whom we were acquainted, seated him.
self - our side, and for an hour kept US
deeply Interested with his humorous narra-
tves, lis Lro!i Aistoriettes and his comic
comments.
We soon observed however that his face
began to grow serious, and that he often
paused ia lis happiest food of repartee to
cast look OF embarrassment at the boat
aud at the water. We thought that we
were making rather tardy progress but
we knew hlS Pradence, and so calmly sub
mtted to his Judgment In short time
his IN u a@lnes' became too apparent, and cX-
cus.ag himself, he left us, and hurried up to
the plot. We curiouSly followed bin.
Mr.. Blank, what's the matter with the
boat 7" was his abrupt inquiry.
Cant say sir Bl was on n spree yes
tesGay. Perhaps he's asleep =
The individual called Bill we found, was
the engineer. Down went the little cap
tain to the engine room We were not far
behind him.
! q = s,rI, r.E En,1
gaze. His eyes dilated until the balls al
most leaped from their bursting sockets
There lay the engineer on the floor fast
asleep 4 tremendous fire roared under
tine rel hot boiler, and not three inches OF
water inside oft!
We tonprehended enough ofthe scene to
feel that We were all on the verge of destruc-
ton. We saw at Il glance that alarm
would only hasten our impending fate
What vas to be done Pump water into
the boiler? Why, it would collapse in an
instant !. We could only watch our little
captain.
TIE moment he bchcld the immuencc Of
the danger, he became as calm and coo aS
an iclce. lie retreated to his state-room
lie was not absent five minutes, bat it
seemed, n our pent-up agony Of apprchen-
son, Ike an holr. We could not leave the
engine room. We expected every moment
to near the terrific explosion that would end
or days on earth but were fascinated as
with spell, to the spot We could but
lock on the blazing furnace and the sleep
ing man at its glowing front
When the captain returned he had a
loaded pistol in each hand. lie pointed
both to the head Of the unconscious sumbcr-
er, and then, with violent kick rendered
him suddenly wide awake.
Draw that fire = said he, nodding at Il e
CRATE, around the wooden work Of which
the smoke already began to curl from the
Intense heat.
Great God /" exclaimed the engineer,
slrEgiGg up 1T viii be certain death"
70 IT vi! he without in ten seconds, -
Sterhiy replied tine captain, placing the
muZzle o! one pistol at the temple Of the
ahrigAted man
lie SAID no more, lat throwing up the
furnace doors, rapidly commenced to draw
the coa.s from beneath the boiler.
One moment more determines our fate ~
hoarseIy whispered our little captain, US he
beCfoned us TO bggone
- idtl'"cd 70 pace ourselves as far
astern IS We could get. Five minutes more
PASSED that seemed about like an eternity.
Then we saw tie hose carefully handed
cowa-the ire buckets passed along-thc
pumps put in motion.
The captain next came on deck and hailed
apassing vessel. 1t came TOO. The steam
boat had stopped by this time, and explain
lug that The machinery was out of order
he passed US all on board the other vessel,
and showed off, We got back to New
York before night, and not passenger had
imbibeI the fAintest idea OF the red cause
OF their detention.
The next day we met the captain, and
gra5pnE oar hand, he said with solemn
carAesneSs-"G0l forbid that We should
ever pass through such scene again !"