The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-05-12


suddenly, our young commander, who
was standing near the bow, felt the en-
tended branch Of an overhanging limb 81.
lently brush his face. He started, with
an exclamation Of alarm, and at the same
moment the boatmau on the right called
out:
Quick, here, boys! we're agin the
shore, as sure as death .!
Then followed Il scene Of hurried and
anxious confusion, the voices Of the three
boatmen mingling together in loud quick,
excited tones.
Push oil tile bow y cried one.
Quick altogether, now. over with
her ! shouted another
The de'il's in it ! she's running aground
here on a muddy bottom ! almost yelled
a third.
Meantime the laden boat was brushing
along against projecting bushes aud over.
reaching limbs, and every moment get.
ting more and more entangled while =
the long poles and sweeps of the boat
men, as they attempted to push her of,
were often plunged, without touching bot
tom, into whS, appeared to be soft,
clayey mud, from which they were only
eStricated by such an outlay of streag;h
as tended still more 10 draw the clumsy
craft upon the bank they wished to avoid.
AT length, scarcely more than minute
from the first alarm, there was kind Of
settling together, as it were, and the boat
became fast and immovable.
The fact was ANNOUNCED by Dick Win.
ter, in his characteristic manner-who
added with AN oath, that il was Just what
lie expected. For moment or two n
dead silence followed, as il each comprc-
hended that the matter WAS one to be
viewed in very serious light.
I'll get over the bow, and trv TO cit
the lay of the land with my feet said
Tom Harris {; aud forthwith he set about
the not very pleasant undertaking.
At this moment Eugene heard his name
pronounced by voice that seldom failed
To excite n peculiar emotion in his breast
and now sent a strange thrill through
every nerve and Fastening below, he
found Blanche, fully dressed, with light
in her hand, standing just outside Of her
cabin, in the regular passage which led
lengthwise through the centre of the
boat.
Il have heard something Eugene she
said 'enongh TO know that we have met
with an accident, but not sufficient to full
~ comprehend its nature
Unfortunately, about two hours ago
replied Eugene, we suddenly became in
volved in dense fog; and in spite of
our every precaution and care, we have
run aground-it may be against the Ohio
shorc-it may he against an island--it is
SO dark we can't tell. But be not alarm
ed, Miss Blanche, he hurriedy added
Il trust we shall soon be ailoat again.
though lit any event, the darkness is suf.
ticieht to conceal us from tho savages,
even were they in the vicinity
u know little of Indians returned
blanche 'but have always understood
that they are somewhat remarkable for
their acuteness Of hearing; and If such
is the case, there would be no necessity
9f their being very near, to be made ac-
quaIntcd with our locality, Judging from
the loud voices | heard few minutes
ago.
i fear we've been rather imprudent,'
said Eugene, in deprecating tone but
in the eycitemcnt-'
His words were suddenly cut short bv
several loud voices Of alarm from without,
followed 10y quick and heavy tramp
ling across the deck and the Lcxt mo.
ment Seth Harper and Dick Winter burst
into the passage, the former exclaming !:
We've run plum into led niggcrs'
nest, Cap'n, and Tom Harris is already
butchered and scalped :
And even as lie spoke, as il in coniir-
nation of his dreadful intelligence there
arose series OF wild, piercing, demonia.
cal yelIs, followed 10y dead and ominous
silence
So far we have followed the lovely he.
rolne and her friends in this adventure ;
but the foregoing is all that we can pub
lIsh in our columns. The balance Of the
narrative can only be found in the New
York Ledger, the great family paper,
'whi:h can be obtained at all the periodi-
cal stores where papers are sold. Remem.
Der to ask for the Ledger" dated May
22nd, and in it you will get the continue
ton OF tue narrative from where it leaves
off here. II there are no book stores or
news offices convenient to where you re
side. the publisher Of the Ledger will
send you copy by mail, il you will send
him five cents in a letter. Address, Rob.
ert Bonner, Ledger Office, A Ann street,
New York. This story is entitled, Per.
lis OF the Border and grows more and
more interesting as il goes on.