The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-05-30

their every movement. In perfect quiet
they pulled steadily on. began 10 laugh at
my fears. II they intended mischief, what
prevented it's execution2 We were alone:
all was quiet and suitable for any crime--no
assistance near! looked around us. All! l
see it now: the sloop yonder is slowly head
ing towards US, right along the course we
ought to take. / now made up my mind for
the worst, and tried to think Of some course
Of action; but was powerless to act, being
totally marmed, (for j had not even . PEN
knife,) and could do nothing but wait foe
events. | felt that my suspense would not
be Of long duration.
"Come, men," said l, at last, eve shall
not get ashore tonight, # you don't put ?
little moro steam on"
aUmph!'' said the man who had spokea
FIRST, and who, Inow felt, would be the lead
ject. ssWe are pulling our hardest; but the
tide is running SO strong that we shall find
ourselves on Gibbet Island sooner than we'd
like if We attempt more direct course"
! felt convinced Of his aversion for that
spot but most profoundly wished was there
at that moment. knew that q much more
direct course could be taken, but said moth
ing. Imagining that all l might say would
be Of no avail. looked at the sloop. Sh
made very little headway- in fact, / thought,
Us she got out into the stream, the tide was
carrying her further from us. Matters wer0
getting more serious. was evidently not
alone in my observation Of the sloop. Ino-
ticed the men exchange glances, when the
one who had been spokesman throughout re-
marked that sshis mate had been sick,
and was still weak; so if the gentleman
was able and willing to take turn at the
oar, he thought we should make the landing
soon!'' a.....-
This looked upon as the first act in the
drama. If / refused, they would understand
that my suspicious were aroused, and con-
sidered their ignorance in this respect my
greatest safeguard. took middle course,
and said that knew little about rowing,
and if he would wait few moments thought
could pull the remainder of the distance.
Thus gained time to think over my plan of
operations, for now had no doubt about
their designs. s..-s s-....
l was sitting in the stern of the boat fa-
cling both. If l took an oar, must place
myself between them with my back to one
the fellow had made up my mind was the
leader. This was very awkward position
to get into; but he must use his hands to
row, and his stopping would be warning for
me. Then was within reach of the oar Of
the fellow nearest me, with no means of pro-
tecting myself. III took his place gained
his oar, aady happy thought! command Of
the boat, for l was certain it would require
but little exertion to capsize if Iwere seated
in the middle.
My mind was made up. Breathing pray
er, looked down the stream to see what
craft, if any, might hope to reach by SWIM
ming; for to gain the shore considered next
to impossible. The same sloop lay seeming
ly about the same distance from shore as we
did. In case of the worst, she must be my
hope.
+ ''Now, said l, carelessly, 81 may as well
take an oar.'
| arose to change places with the man
nearest me. He stood up on the instant;
the other had his oar out Of the water, too.
ssTake care," said /; s'this seems to be a
very light boat-you'n capsize her if you
don't look out! Here, you come to the stern,
and then Pll take your station. l don't like
to move till you are seated"
He had nothing to say against such an
arrangement, but silently did as suggested.
immediately sprang into his place, and
seizIng the oar, gave pull that put her
ahead great deal more in shore. But
pulled no more; for already the fellow be-
hind me had his oar out Of the water, and
was preparing to strike me down. Quick
as thought, mine was out and whlrled over
my head. The two oars met with a crash
that made the light boat quiver, and splin-
tered them to pieces. Not a moment was
to be lost! The fellow in the stern had ta-
ken out a seat, and was advancing upon me,
when flung the half of the shattered oar
full in his face, and at the same instant the
boat went orer!
When arose to the surface, l looked
anxiously round for my late assailants. The
more. Perhaps he was stunned-I know
not: he did not rise again! The other was
about a rod from me, madly struggling
That the wretch could not swim was evident.
had grasped the bottom Of the overturned
boat; and his efforts to reach it were fearful!
God! how he plunged! He shouted to me for
help-would to heaven had granted it,
But, no! hoated away on my frail support,
and the drowning man sank, to rise no more;
with such look of despair as haunts me
still, and will to my dying day.
gained the sloop, was received kindly on
board, and the capsized boat taken in tow.
kept my own counsel, not knowing what
might be the result if made the particulars
known, telling the people on board that
had met with an accident; that the boat was
a hired one, and, if they would put me ashore
for which service was willing to pay
handsomely would notify the owners
where she could be found.
They set me on land, no doubt glad to gain
as:iberal reward so easily, and reached home
about midnight so utterly fatigued that no
sooner did my head touch the pillow than l
was sound asleep. TWAS late when awoke,
and tried to persuade myself that / had
had dreadful dream-but, alas! reality was
too palpable. q.
A day or two afterwards the body was
found floating in the North River. A coro-
ner's jury brought in verdict of ssFound
Drowned" Had been the victim, the YER
dict would have been the sameESunday