The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-11-25

The " Nesttrn Bell'' formed no eX-
cepiion to the general rule, and on this
occasion as she swung off into the stream,
an observer could readily have seen that
she was crowded to her utmost capacity.
Ere we had reached the channel, | OBJ
served the captain hurry past me, NUT
tering to himself apparently in great agi-
tation
"Had ! only known before we cast off
yet something must be done, that is
evident--but what r.
"Give me the charged
Captain Reynolds raised his eyes at
the sound of the clear and sonorous but
somewhat imperative voice that uttered
the words, and beheld a tall, dark fea-
tured and strikingly handsome man, who
had hastily approached from the opposite
direction, and who instantly seizing his
hand, exclaimed,
Captain, the engineer has left his
post-gone upward dead-the cholera!
and his gestures were significant as he
spoke.
Al am already aware of the fact !
said the captain, with anxiety in his
tones; but why do you evince such an
interest in the matter ~ while his mo-
mentarily stern gaze rested upon the
countenance of the stranger, whose face
was partly concealed by a heavy beard
and moustache of glossy blackness.
IL am Lieutenant George Hilton, OF
the United States Army, but formerly
chief engineer of the Prairie Bird at
your service!" said the stranger, in a
hurried manner, mentioning well-known
boat, noted in years gone by for her
great speed and superior accommoda-
tions.
"And your object is to offer your ser.
vices to me as engineer for the mp trip !!
said Captain Reynolds, inquiringly.
"As YOU have intuilively perceived 1t
is."
Sir-lieutenant, | thank you-doub-
Iy thank you-and will avail myself OF
your kind offer; accepting it in the same
generous spirit with which it is made,
and, without further ceremony + said
the captain, as he warmly pressed the
hand of the other. Knowing that the
tiremen were all green hands, ! was just
fastening to take the charge and manage
as best mi ght, the engineers depart
ment-but now | shall feel at ease.
Then let me at once enter upon my
duties; there is no time to lose y said
the lieutenant, and there was strange
CLEAN in his wild restless eyes, and a
nervous pecullarity in his gesture.
1t was unnoticed by the captain-or Il
noted, evidently considered the idiocyn-
cracy of an ardent temperament-as
he replied, with satisfaction expressed II
his voice:
"True, true fear you will find mat.
ters in somewhat confused state, but
you can send forward for me at any mo
ment.
They passed beyond my hearing, an1
leisurely ascended to the hurricane
deck to enjoy siesta and cigar for al
hour, after which | sought out my state
room-found, entered, closed the door
and was on the point of congratnlatlne
myself on having been enabled to secure
| it, when my attention was arrested by th'
earnest intonation of musical voice 0
peculiar beauty that never could b'
afterwards forgotten, though heard ml'
the wild beauty and grandeur OF an oceal
storm-the roar and carnage o! ba'tie
or the discordant murmurs of an assem-
! bled universe Spell bound, ! listened
"Oh, sir, whoever you are, for the lov'
of Heaven. assist me to get out OF TN
room--and at once! Our safety-ay'
the hres of every one on board is pend
iny on shudder to think-perhaps tn
issue of a few moments
There was an indescribable earnest
ness in the utterance of the words tina
thrilled me to the soul. To Mink was Z
act. and knowing by the sound that on'.
a thin board partition separated me iron
the fair pleader--for that she uas tar
would have staked my existence I'M
mediately drew my heavy bowie am
first assuring her of speedy denver
ance, commenced cutting away at IN
top of one Of the boards.
In two minutes it was loose-ln jour
took it out and stepped through the open
Ing.
What picture was revealed
Seated on a low stool, with her aubur
; ringlets floating over shoulders OF all
baster whiteness
eIn all the wildness of disheveled charms ):
was glorlously beautiful maiden
seemingly not over seventeen summer
|. and ewes as bright as the jewels OF ar
/ gal diadem. -, ..,,;.,a and
3 her struggles to free herself the dellca'
flesh was cruelty lacerated.
r One stroke of my knife and the corr