Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-05-14

ne was not uead-ne was not even hurt
with the exception of few slight scratches
The blood with which he was covered wa.
the panther's, not his own. But Blanche
embrace was his--a priceless treasure-ar
index of her hearts emotions and affec
tions. 1t was to color his whole future
life, as will be seen in the progress of oul
story.
Slowly and silently, save the occasional
creak, dip, and plash of the steersman's
oar, the boat of our voyagers was borne
along upon the bosom of the current, on
the third night of the voyage. The hour
was waxing late, and Eugene, the only
one astir except the watch, was suddenly
startled, by a rough hand being placed
upon his shoulder, accompanied by the
words, in the gruff voice of the boatman
81 say, Cap'n, here's trouble !"
"What is it, DickP" inquired Eugene,
starting to his feet.
"Dont you see thar's heavy fog rising,
thatll soon kiver us up so thick that we
won't be able to tell white man from a
nigger2" replied the boatman-D Dick Win
ter by name-a tall, bony, muscular, ath-
letic specimen of his class.
"Good heavenl so there is - exclaimed
Eugene, looking off upon the already
misty waters. cit must have gathered
very suddenly, for all was clear minute
ago. What is to be done now2 This is
something I was not prepared for, on such
night as this"
"It looks troublous, Cap'n, I'll allow, I"
returned Dcik;" but we're in fort, that's
sartin, and l s'pose we'll have to make the
best ont
"But what is to be done2-what do you
advise ?" asked Eugene, in Quick, excl
ted tone, that indicated some degree of
alarm.
"Why, eff you war'nt so skeered about
the young lady, and it warn't so dead agin
the orders from head quarters, my plan
would be cl'ar and easy one-I'd just
run over to the Kaintuck shore, and tie
up
"No, no, said Eugene, positively "that
will never do Dick-that will never do |!
| would not think of such thing for
moment We must keep in the current
by all mcansr'
Eff you can" rejoined the boatman !;
"but when it gifts SO dark as we can't tell
one thing from t'other, it'll be powerful
hard to do; and eff we don't run agin a
bar or bank afore morning, in spite of
the best O. us, it'll be the luckiest go that
ever had hand in. See, Cap'in-it's
thickening up fast; we can't see eyther
bank at all, nor the water nyther; the stars
is gettin dim, and it looks as if thar war
cloud all round us"
II see I seel" returned Eugene, ex-
citedly. "Merciful Heaven! 1 hope no
accident will befall US here--and yet my
heart almost misgives me for this, be-
lieye, is the most dangerous part of our
journey--the vicinity where most of our
boats have been captured by the sayages 4"
Saying this, Eugene fastened below.
where he found the other boatmen sleep
ing so soundly as to require considerable
effort, on his part, to wake them. At last,
getting them fairly reused, he informed
them, almost in whisper, for he did not
care to disturb the others, that heavy fog
had suddenly arisen, and he wished their
presence on deck, Immediately.
GA fog, Cap'n ?" exclaimed one, in
tone which indicated that he comprehend
ed the peril with the word.
"Hushl" returned Eugene; "there in no
necessity for waking the others, and hav-
ing scene. Up aud follow me, without
a word I"
He glided back to the deck, and was al
most 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 borne without difficulty and
danger, and that there was possibility Of
keeping the current
"Then make that possibility certainty,
and it shall be the best nights work you
ever performedr, rejoined Eugene in
quick, excited tone.
"Well do the best We can, Cap'n, was
the response; "but no man can be sartin Of
the current of this here crooked stream in
a foggy night"
A long silence followed-the yoyagers
4 n n.