The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-12-15
Th e Mad Engin eer

Belle had cast off her shore -fasts and was now,
like an uncaged wild bird, poising herself on
the wing, ready to start on her flight up the
mighty Mississippi. -.,.:--.
was not moment too soon, for ere I had
reached the hurrican deck, the gang plank was
drawn in. "Good-bye was said to those gath
cred on the harf-handkerchiefs fiuttered in
the breeze, waving an adleu, and we were off,
It was when the cholera was raging so fear
fully at the southwest, almost depopulating
whole cities in single day, and carrying death
and desolation into nearly every family.
The panic was at it's height in New Orleans.
Business of all kinds appeared to be utterly
dread destroyer. All, or nearly all, who had
friends or pecuniary ability, were intent only on
placing themselves or families at safe distance
from the deadly visitant.
AS natural consequence every boat or other
conveyance which had not ceased running, was
crowded with the flying, and fear-stricken citi-
Zens.
The "Western Belle'' formed no exception
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, observed
the captain hurry past me, muttering to himself
apparently in great agitation: ....
"Had [ only known before we cast off-yet
something must be done, that is evident-but
whatH'
"Giye me the charge!''
Captain Reynolds raised bis eyes at the
sound of the clear and sonorous but somewhat
imperative voice that uttered the words, and
beheld a tall dark featured and strkingly hand
some man, who had hastily approached from
the opposite direction, and who instantly seiz-
ing his hand exclaimed:
"Captain, the engineer has left his post
gone upward-dead-th cholera!' and his
gesture were significant as he spoke
81 am already aware of the fact!' said the
captain, with anxiety in his tones: "but why do
you cvince such an interest in the matter, while
his momentarily stern gaze rested upon the
countenance of the stranger, whose face was
partly concealed by heavy beard and nous
tache of glossy blackness.
Il am lieutenant George Hilton, of the T. S.
army, but formerly chief engineer of the
"Praire Bird, - at your service!" said the stran-
ger in hurried manner, mentioning a well
known boat, noted in years gone by for her
great speed and superior accommodations.
'tAnd your object is to offer your services to
me as engineer for the up trip?" said captain
Reynolds, inquiringly.
GAS you have intuitvely perceived it is.'
''Sir-lieutenant, thank you-douby thank
you-and will avail myself of your kind offer;
accepting it in the same generous spirit with
which it made, and, without further ceremony!'
said the captain, as he warmly pressed the hand
of the other. "Knowing that the fremen were
all green hands, [ was just Fastening to take
the charge and manage, as | best might, the
engineers department-but now | shall feel at
ease.'
''Then let me at once enter upon my duties;
there is no time to lose!' said the lieutenant,
and there was strange CLEAN in his wild rest
less eyes, and nervous peculiarly in his ges-
ture.
1t was unnoticed by the captain-or if noted
evidently considered the idiocyncraciest of an
ardent temperament-as he replied, with salts
faction expressed in his voice.
"True, true! fear you will find matters in a
somewhat confused state, but you can send for
ward for me at any moment.
They passed beyond my hearing, and I leis-
urely assembled to the hurrican deck to enjoy a
siesta and cigar for an hour, after which l
sought out my state-room-found. entered,
closed the door-and was on the point of con-
graduation myself on having been enabled to
secure it, when my attention was arrested by
the earnest intonation of musical voice of
peculiar beauty-one, never could be afterward
forgotten, though beard mid the wild beauty
opH propdnur IF cto tho 4
carnage of battle, or the discordant murmurs
of an assembled universe! Spell bound, l list
ened:
"Oh, sir, whoever you are, for the love of
heaven assist me to get out of this room-and
at once! Our safety-aye the lives of every one
on board is pending on-I shudder to think
perhaps the issue of a few moments!'
There was an indescribable earnestness in
the utterance of the words that thrilled me to
the SOUL TO think was to act, and knowing
by the sound that only a thin board partition
separated me from the fair pleader-for that
she was fair would have staked my existence
i Immediately drew my heavy "bowie, -
and first assuring her Of speedy deliverance,
commenced cutting away at the top of the
boards.
LII t"O ulilulCS IL was lUOoS, Ill louI tOOh IL
out and stepped through the opening.
What a picture was revealed!
Seated on low stool, with her auburn ring
lets floating over the shoulders of an alabaster
whiteness,
"In all the wildness of disheveled char1ns!'
was gloriously beautiful maiden of seemingly
not over seventeen summers, and eyes as bright
as the jewels of regal diadem
Her hands were tiled behind, and in her
struggles to free herself, the delicate flesh was
cruelty lacerated. ....-.
One stroke of my knife and the chords were
severed in an instant, and observing the in
,creasng palor Of her features, quicker than it
takes me to telit, / had caught her in my arms,
and borne her through the entrance which my
good blade had effected. To dash open the
Hindow, and to lave her feyerish brow with
water was but the work of moment.
She soon revived, and to my eager question
ing as to the cause Of her painful situation re-
piled, that all her family had fallen victims to
the cholera, with the exception of her eldest
brother who had recovered from the disease
only to exhibit symptoms of that dark anomaly
of the human mind-insanity. That she had
used her utmost influence with her brother to
oct him to visit the north, hoping that the