Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-05-20

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and having scene. Up! and follow
me. without world"
He glided back TO the deck, and was
almost Immediately Joined by the
boatmen. to whom he briefly made
known his hopes and 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 with
out difficulty and danger. and that
there was a possibility of keeping the
current.
"Thcn make that possibility GER
tainty, and it shall be the best nights
work you ever performed" rejoined
Eugene. In a quick, excited tone.
We'll do the best We can, Cap'n,"
was the response; "but no man can be
sartin of the current of this here crook
ed stream in foggy night"
a long silence followed-the voya-
gers slowly drifting down through
misty darkness impcnetrable to the
eye-when. suddenly. our young COM
mander, who was standing near the
bow. felt the extended branch of an
overhanging limb silently brush his
face He started. with an exclamation
of alarm, and at the same moment the
boatman on the right called OUT
Quick, here, boys! we're agin the
shore, as sure as DEATH"
Then followed a scene of hurried
and anxious confusion, the voices Of
the three boatmen mingling together
in loud. quick. excited tones.
push off the bowl" cried one.
Quick! altogether. now! over with
herl" shouted another.
The de'il's in it! she's running
aground here on a muddy bottom,"
almost yelled third.
Meantime the laden boat was brush
ing along against projecting bushes
and ovcrreaching limbs. and every mo-
ment getting more and more entangled:
while the long poles and sweeps of the
boatmen. as they attempted to push
her of, were often plunged. without
touching bottom. into what appeared
to be soft, clayey mud, from which
they were only extricated by such an
outlay of strength as tended still more
to draw the clumsy craft upon the bank
they wished to avoid AT length,
scarcely more than minute from the
first alarm, there was a kind of set
tling together, as it were, and the boat
became fast and immovable
The fact was announced by Dick |
Winter, In his characteristic manner
who added. with an oath. that it was
just what he expected. For moment |
or two.a dead silence followed, as il |
each comprehended that the matter was
one to be viewed in a very serious
light.
"I'll get over the bow. and try to
git the lay of the land with my feet"
said Tom Harris; and forthwith he set
about the not very pleasant under
taking.
AT this moment Eugene heard his
name pronounced by voice that sell
dom failed to excite peculiar emotion
in his breast. and now sent strange
thrill through every nerve; and hasten |
ing below, he found Blanche. fully !
dressed. with a light in her hand, |
standing just outside of her cabin. in
the regular passage which led length
wise through the center of the boat.
81 have heard something, Eugene"
she said; enough to know that We
have met with an accident. but not
sufficient to fully comprehend its ma
ture."
Unfortunately, about two hours
ago." replied Eugene, 1--WE suddenly
became involved in dense fog; and in
spite of our every precaution and care,
we have run aground-it may be
against the Ohio shore-it may be
against an island-it is so dark we
can't tell. But don't be alarmed,
Miss Blanche" he hulriedly added; Il
trust we shall soon be afoat again;
though in any event, the darkness is
sufficient to conceal us from the sava-
gcs, even were they in the vicinity"
Il know little Of Indians" returned
Blanche; "but l have always under
stood that they are somewhat remark
able for their acuteness of hearing; and
if such is the case, there would be no
necessity Of 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 impru-
dent" said Eugene, in deprecisting
tone; "but in the excitement-"
His words were suddenly cut short
by several loud voices Of alarm with
out, followed by quick and heavy
trampling across the deck; and the
next moment Seth Harper and Dick
Winter burst into the passage. the
former exclaiming:
We've run plum into q red mig
gers nest, Cap'n, and Tom Harris is
already butchered and scalpcdl"
And even as he spoke. as II in con-
frmaiion Of his dreadful intelligence.
there arose series OF wild, piercing.
demoniacal yells. followed by dead
and ominous silence.
So far we have followed the lovely
heroine and her friends in this advcn-
ture. but the foregoing is all tha; we
can publish IN our columns. The bal
ance Of the narrative can only be found
in the New York Ledger. the great
family paper. which can be obtained at
all the periodical stores where papers
are sold. Remember to ask for the
Ledger" dated May 22nd. and in il
you will get the continuation of the
narrative from where j, leaves OF here.