Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-14

sartu, ana pose VIC IL pa'e w ~ "
best ont"
But what is to by done what do you
advise Z" asked Eugene, in quick, excited
tone. that indicated come degree OF alarm.
why, eff you wsr'nt so skeered about the
young lady, and it waru't so dead agln the
orders from head quarters, my plan would
be a crar and easy one-Pdju run over to
the Kaintuck shore. and tie mp"
mo, no." said Eugene positively; that
will never do, Dick--tbat will never do! l
would not think of such thing for mo.
ment. We must keep III the current by ell
means"
"Ef you can" rejoined the boatman; but
when it gifts so dark as we can't tell one
thing from fother, it'll be powerful hard 10
do; and eff ne don't run agln bar or bank
aforc m rrniug, in spite Of the best O. us, it'll
be the Ia :kiest 90 that ever | bad hand IN.
See, Cap'n-its thick ming up fast; we can't
see eyther bauk at ALL nor the water nyther;
the stars is gettin' dim, and 1t locks as II
thar war cloud all round US"
Il see! | see" returned Eugene, excitedly.
"Merciful ueaveul i hope 10 accident will
beiall u herc--and yet my heart almost mis-
gives mel-for this, | believe, Ia the most
dangerous part of our journey-tne vicinity
where most of our boats have been captured
by the savages."
Saving this, Eugene FASTENED below, where
be found the other boatmcn sleeping 30 sound
" as 10 REQUIRE considerable effort, on his
part TO wake them. At last getting them
fairly reused. he in!orme ed them, almost in
whisper, for he did not care to disturb the
s., had do n "a rlS
and he wished their preseace cn deck, lmme-
diately.
"A Jog, Cap'n?" exclaimed one in n tone
which indicated that he comprehended The
peril with the word
"Hush." returned Eugene, there is no ne
cessity for waking the others, and having a
scene. Up! and follow me, withouta word!'
lie glded back to the deck, and was al
most iInm ediafely joined by the boatmen, to
whom he briefly made known his hopes auc
fears.
They thought like their companion, that
the boat would be safest if made fast to an
overhanging limb Of the Kentucky shore,
but frankly admitted that this could not now
be done without difficulty and dar ger, and
that there was Il possibility Of keeping the
current.
Then make that possibility certainty,
and it shall he the best nights work you ever
performed !" rejoined Eugene, in quick,
excited ne.
Wen do the best we can, Cap'n," was the
response; but no man can bc sartin OF the
current OF this here crooked stream in fog
~ night"
A long silence followed--the voyagers
slowly drifting down through misty dark
ness i'm penetrable to the eye--wheu, sudden
", our young commander, who was standing
near the bow, felt the c1 ended branch OF
an overhanging iimb silently brush his face.
lie started with an exciamati OF alarm,
and at the same moment the boatman on the
right called ont:
"Qlick, here, boys! we're agin the shore,
as sure as death"
Then followed scene Of buried and anx-
ious confusion, the voices Of the three boat
men mingling together in loud, quick, excl,
ted tones.
"Pusb off the bow" cried one.
Quick! altogether now. over with her..
shouted aoother.
The de'ii's in it, she's running aground
here on q muddy bottom" almost yelled a
third.
Meantime the laden boat was brushing
along against projecting bushes and over.
reaching limbs, and every moment getting
more and more entangIed, while the long
poles and sweeps of the tOs,men, as they at
tempted 10 push Der off, were often plunged,
without touching bottom, into what appeal
ed to be soft, clayey med, from which they
were only exiricated by such an outlay OF
strength as tended still more to draw the
clumsey craft upon the bank they wished to
avoid AT length, scarcely more than a min
ute from the first alarm, there MAS Il kind OF
settling together, as it were, and the boat be-
came fast and immovahle.
The fact was announced by Dick Winter,
in his characteristic manuet--who added,
with an oath, that it was Just what he eX pec.
ted. For moment or two dead sllepce
followed, as :f each comprebended that the
matter was one to be viewed in very seri-
Gus light.
"I'Il get over the bow, and try to get the
lay of the land with my feet" said Tom llaI-
ris; and forthwith he set about the not very
pleasant undertaking.
At this moment Eugene heard his name
pronounced by voice that seldom failed TO
excite peculiar emotion in his breast, and
now sent strange thrill through every
nerve; aud Fastening below, he found
Blanche, folly dressed, WIKI light in her
hand, standing just outside of her cabin, in
the regular passage which led lengthrise
through the centre OF the boat.
81 have heard something. Eugene" she
said "enougb to know that we have met with
40 accident, but not sufficient to fully COM
prehend its nature"
unfortunately, about two hours ago" re-
piled Eugene, I'VE suddenly became involved
IN dense fog; and IN spite of every precau-
ton aud care, We have run aground-it may
be against the Ohio shore--it may be against
an island-it Is 50 dark we can't tell. But
be not alarmed, Miss Blanche" he burricdly
added; Il trust we shall soon be afDat again;
though in auy event, the darkness Is sufficient
to conceal US from the savases, even were
they in the vicinity"
Il know little of Indians" returned
Blanche; but | have always understood
that they are somewba remarkable for their
acuteness of bearing; and II such is the case,
there would be no necessity for their being
very near, to be made acquainted with our
locality, judging from the loud voices heard
few minutes ago"
Il fear we've been rather imprudent." said
EIgene, in deprecating tone; but IN the
exctement-"
His words were suddenly cut short by sew
oval loud rnicas nf larn from without fol.