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

and at the some moment the boatman on the rig
Gsa,h y here boys we're asn the shore as
Then followed scene OF hurried and auxio
confusion, the voices of the three boatmen minglil
together in loud quick, excited tones.
Push of the bow " cried one.
"Quick! altogether, now over with her." shol
"The de'il's in it! she's running aground here
muddy bottom !" almost yelled a third.
Meantime the laden boat was brushing alol
against projecting bushes and overreaching liml
while the long poles and sweeps of the boatmen,
they attempted to push her of, were often plunge
without touching bottom, into what appeared to \
soft, clayey mud, from which they were only e
tricated by such an outlay of strength as tended st
more to draw the clumsy craft upon the bank tn
wished to avoid. At length, scarcely more than
minute from the first alarm, there was a kind of 81
ting together, as it were, and the boat immediate
became fast and immovable
The fact was announced by Dick Winter, in
characteristic manner, who added, with an oat
that it was just what he expected. For nome
or two dead silence followed, as if each comp
hended that the matter was one to be viewed in
very serious light.
"Why do you pause, mem" almost shouted T
gene. "For Gods sake, set to work at once, and
her off! Every moment we remain here is as mu
as our lives are WOrtn!
"Its powerful easy to say git her off, Cap'n,ra
swered Dick, "but I'd jest like to see airy ten m
that could do it, in q night like this"
"And I'd jest like to see anything!' put in the
called Seth, who was ever ready with his joke,
surrounding circumstances be what they might.
"But you will make an efortw said EugeI
"You surely do not think of sitting quietly doV
here, and waiting for daylight with perhaps
sayages in close proximityT'
mo- well try, Cap'n; we'll do our best, eff it dol
come to nothing!" was the response.
And where are we, do you Think" inquired F
gene, fairly trembling with excitement-not
much through fear on his own account AZ BEGAN
Of the danger which perhaps menaced the Fl
Blanche.
ut seems like we are stuck in the mud" reph
the voice of Seth.
"Quit your jesting, Harper, and attend to 20
duty!" rejoined Eugene, in a stern, angry tone.
II warn't testing then, Cap'n, replied the boz
man, doggedly: II war jest stating right SINS
fact; and eff anybody knows whar else we Is, I'd Ii
'em to speak out and Tighten feller"
81 think we're agin the north bank of the Ohio
That's amazing cl'ar wisdom O. yourn, Harris
rejoined Harper, with an oath; LAUNDERING cls
that isl"
As cl'ar as yourn, anyhow" retorted Tom.
"And mine war clar as mud" returned Il
other eve war gwine down this here river, al
stuck agin the right bank, and you think it's t.
Ohio side. Why. whar else mought we be-"
."Agin island, for all you know" growled Tom.
citedly, "cesse this testing and wrangling, and e
deavOr to get the boat Off before it Is too late!
employed You for true, earnest, faithful men, and
find you neslsctins your duty in the first mOmen
"Capn Fairfax" returned Seth Harper 9TH
arnt 70. I'm one o. them as thinks as how a ms .
may as well laugh as cry over what he can't help
but III do my duty with any man a. ever Wake
You tell us to git the boat of GA muddy bottoI
where she's stuck like q turkie in his shel-aI
it so dark, too, that we can't zee afore nor shind al
nothing knowed about the lay o. the land and rv
and 'spect us 10 do 1t as easy as we'd snap po
corn from our thumbs That's not reasonous, al
goes sgin natur'; but whatsomever can be dor
land"
Saying this the speaker went below, brought
light, and held it over the side Of the boat, but
reflection was SO circumscribed by the dense vap
as TO render it Of no avail.
an get over the bow, and try to git the lay
the land with my feet, said Tom, and forthwith
set about the not very pleasant undertaking.
nounced by voice that seldom failed 10 excite
peculiar emotion in his breast and now sent
strange thrill through every nerve; and hastenir
below, be found Blancbeofuly dressed, with ligl
in her hand, standing inst outside OF her cabin J.,
he regular passage which led lengthwise throug
he centre OF the boat.
al have heard something Eugene" she sal,
enough TO know that we have met with an acc
dent, but not sufficient to fully comprehend its n
ture.n
unfortunately, about an hodf and a half ago
replied Eugene, I'VE suddenly became involved in
dense fog, and in spite OF every precaution an
care We have run aground IL may be against III
Ohio shore-it may be against an island il Is i
dark We cannot tell. But be not alarmed Nj,
Blanche" he hurredly added; al trust we shall 400
be sfoat again, though in any event, the darkne,i
sufficient to conceal us from the savges, even wei
they IN the vicinity
81 know little Of Indians returned Blanche; "bt
have always understood that they are somewhsl
remarkable for their acuteness of hearing; and
such Is the case there would be no necessity Of the
being very near to be made acquainted with on
locality, Judging from the loud voices heard fe'.
minutes ago"
al fear we have been rather imprudent," All
Eugene, in deprecafing tone; but in the excite,
His words were suddenly cut short by several lou
voices Of alarm from without, followed by a quic
and heavy trampling across the deck and the mex.
moment Seth Harper and Dick Winter burst int
the passage, the former exclaiming:--
We've run plum into q red ngger's nest. Capri
and Tom Harris ar already butchered and scalped
And even rs be spoke, NJ If in confirmation OF L
dreadful intelligence, there arose series of wild
piercing, demoniacal yells, followed by dead an:
ominous silence.
The above In the commencement of Emerson Bers
net''s great story, which IL now being published &
the New York Ledger. We give this as sample
but II only the beginning OF this most interesting.
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