The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-13
LITERATURE.

LITERATURE.
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creased feeling of security which their so far event
full progress had served TO induce it was little they
dreamed Of an impending fate more terrible than
their darkest fancies had ever conceived.
CHAPTER III.
THE FIRST PERIL.
Slowly and silently, save the occasional creak, dip
and splash of the steerman's oar, the boat of our
voyagers was borne along upon the bosom of the
on the eventful night alluded to at the close
of the preceding chapter. The hour was waxing
late and Eugene was the only one astir except the
watch. The night was unusually calm and lovely.
and the bright stars In the soft, blue vault above,
were shining clearly down upon the dark, placid
river, and upon the great sleeping forests which
stretched far away from either shore.
Taking his seat upon the deck the different par
ties retired to rest, Eugene gradually became lost in
pleasing reverie his eyes occasionally resting upon
the bosom Of the stream and occasionally upon its
dark, family defined boundaries, and yet with
thought 20 abstract and gaze so mechanical as not
tn note single object within the range of his vision.
His mind was upon Blanche-the proud, the beauti-
full and fascinating Blanche-and he was recalling
hundred little trifes of the last few days. putting
them together and weighing them in the balance
Of hope. Was she really the same as she had ap.
peared of 0ld-a being Of Indifference, dignity and
reserve? Or had time and circumstances brought
:. slight change change to give him pleasure,
she was not wholly Indifferent to his presence;
that, if nothing warmer she considered him
Q friend, an intellectual companion, who might
the material plane; and these times he was recalling
with deliRht-and almost unconsciously drawing
secret augury that he might not have ventured upon
in more reasoning mOments-when he was suddenly
ing placed upon his shoulder, accompanied by the
words, in the gruff voice Of the boatman:-
Il say, Capn here's troubled"
what Jig the matter, Dick?" inquired Eugene,
Don't you ses thar's heavy fog rising that'u soon
biver up so thick that we won't be able to tell
white man from q niggerI' replied the boatman-
Dick Winter by name-a TALL bony, muscular, athle-
Good heavens, 30 there is!v exclaimed Eugene
looking off upon the already misty waters 1T must
have gathered very suddenly, for all was clear mi
mute ago"
mot exactly, Cap'n for I've watched it thicken-
ing for five minutes, anyhow; but then, when mans
times"
"But was not asleep, Dick" returned Eugene.
"A rayther quar- wake then, Cap'n-a deaf wake,
by thunder!-for called you three times afore Ishuk
you"
"That is strange" said Eugene; "but no matter.
What is to be done now? This is something / was
not prepared for on such night as this"
at looks troublous, Csp'D, III allow" returned
Dick; "but we're in fort, that's sartn and spose
well have to make the best ont"
But what is to be done what do you advise ?"
ted some degree Of alarm.
why, eff you warn't 90 skeered about the young
lady, and 1t warn't so dead agin orders from head
quarters, my plan would be crar and easy one
up"
mo! MOI" said Eugene, positively; 'that will
never do, Dick-that will never do! l would not
think OF such O thing for q moment we must keep
in the current, by ali means"
"E we can" rejoined the boatman; "but when it
gifts SO dark can't tell one thing from tother,
i'll be powerful hard to do; aud eff we don't run
best O. us, it'll be the luckest 60 that ever had
hand in. See Cap'n-it's thickening up fast; we
cant see eytber hank at ALL nor the water nyther;
the stars Is getting DIM and it looks if thar
81 see! l eel" returned Eugene excitedly.
"Merciful heaven! hope no accident will befal US
here and yet my heart almost misgives me for
this, believe, is the most dangerous part Of our
jourpey-the vicinity where most of the boats have
been captured by the savages."
1T has bad look, Capn, thars no denying IL;
and think the Kantuck shore, whar the brutes Is
ef We put for that, well hev 10 do it while thar's
light enough 10 see our way, or else we mought find
ourselves like a capsized land turkle-legs up'ard,
and no 60"
"No! nor returned Eugene; "it must not be; I
tell you we must try to keep the current"
Then III jest yenfpr' 10 obsarve. Cap'n tina, il
won't astonish me amazining ef we fetch up smash
AT the fust bend"
III,
trust the rest to Providence
Jest as you say, Cap'n-Dick Winters one of
them as alays obeys orders, bit or miss And thar's
one thing sartin, let happen whstsomever may-the
red niegers can see ~ aiore can them-and ef
1t comes TO the scratch, we're good for few Shots
snyho~."
Heaven preserve ~ calculated Eugene, think
ing Of Blanche; 81 would give up many bright
hope to be insured against this peril There would
be no safety In the Kentucky shore !" he pursued as
II weighing the advice Of the boatman; the Indians
are often prowling along that shore well as the
other.r
" But not quite 30 like TO be-" returned Win
ter, kase it's not quite 30 near thar stompng
ground"
Your advice may be good, Dick continued Eu-
gene, beginning TO pace rapidly 10 and fro, and
watching the gathering and now almost inpcaetra-
bic mist with an anxiety really painful; but dare
not take IT. for u " not only against the most posi-
tive orders Of the Colonel but also have present.
ment that II we touch the land we are lost
wal, you're cap'n," said Dick, "apd it's for you
to say. III do the best can it's little "a / wants
to gin the bloody brutes my scap-to say nothing
OF the young lady and the boat" Then. after a
sl,ght pause and 10 more cheerful tone. probably
iety Of his young commander, he added: "It's
possible we can keep her ahoat; and ef we should
happen TO strike II II be easy pushing off, and IL don't
foller that thar II be Injuns thar 20 pitch into u.s.
eyther. III stick TO the steering oar and try to feel
the current, and it's like wei come out right side
up, arter all"
"Fsi not to take every precauton you can pos
sibly think Of Dick, and will call up your COM
psnions 10 aid yon.n
Saying this Eugene FASTENED below where he
found the other boatmen sleeping 30 soundly az 10
require considerable effort on his part 10 wake them.
Al last, getting them fairly reused, he informed
them, almost In q whisper, for he did not care TO
disturb the Others, that q heavy fog had suddenly
srisen, and be wished their presence on deck imme
diately.
"A fog, Capn?r exclaimed one. in a tone which
indicated that be comprehended the peril with the
word.
"TIush!n returned Eugene, ''there Is no necessity
for waking the others, and having scene. Up! and
follow me, without world"
lie eded back 10 the deck, and was almost imme-
diately joined by the boatmen, 10 whom he briefly
made known his hopes and fears.
They thought like their companion, that the boat