The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-05-19

blood with which he was covered was the
panther's, not his own. But Blanche's
sMbrace was his - priceless treasure-an
index Of her hearts emotions and aflec-
tions. 1t was to color bis whole future
life, as will be seen in the progress of our
rtory.
Slowly and silently, save the occasional
creak, dip, and splash 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. Tho hour
was waxing late, and Eugene, the only one
astir except the watch, was suddenly,
startled, by rough hand being placed up
on his shoulder, accompanied by the words,
in the gruff voice of the boatman:
81 say Cap'n, here's trouble"
"What is it, Dick ~ inquired Eugene
starting to his feet.
Don't you see tbar's heavy toy ris-
ing, that'll soon kiver us up so thick that
we won't be able to tell white man from
niger ?" replied the boatman-Dick
Winter by namc-a tall, bony, muscular,
athletic specimen of his class.
GOOD heaven SO there is p exclaim-
ed Eugene, looking of upon the already
misty waters. g 1t must have gathered
very suddenly, for all was clear minute
ago. What is to be done now2 This ia
something was not prepared for, on such
night as this"
1t looks troublous, Capn, I'll allow"
returned Dick - but we'ro in fort that's
sartin, and l s'poss we" have to make the
best ont"
But what is to be done what do
yop advise ?" asked Eugene, in a quick
excited tone, that indicated some degree
of alarm"
"Why, eff yon warnt so skeered about
the young lady, and it warnt SO dead
agin the orders from head quarters, my
pau NOulu W Il VI dI ahu easy OHe
lust run over to the Kaintuck shore, and
tie up"
mo, no. sail Eugene, positively {:
"that will never do, Dick--that will nev-
er do! I.wouli not think of such thing
for moment We must keep in the cnr-
rent by all means ~
"Ef you cam" reioined the boatmap ;
"but when il gets 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 60 thar ever
] had hand in. See, Cap'n it's thicken-
ing up fast; we cant see eytbsr bank at
all, nor the water nyther; the stars is get
tin dim, and it Looks as if thar war cloud
ell round us"
81 see I see =" returned Eugene, ex-
citedly, Merciful Heaven l hope no &C.
cid, mt will befal US here-and yet my
heart almost misgives me for this, be-
lieve, is the most dangerous part of our
\ journcy-the vicinity where most of our
boats have been captured by the savages."
Saying his, Eugene fastened below,
where he found the other boatmen sleep
ing so suundly as to require considerable
effort, on his part, to wake them. At last
getting them fairly roused he informed
them, almost in whisper, for he did not
care to disturb the others, that a heavy
fog had suddenly arisen, and he wished
Ia II presence on deck, Immediately.
"a fog, Cap'n?" exclaimed one, in a
tone which indicated that he comprehend
ed the peril with the word.
" Hush ~ returned Eugene; "there il
no necessity for waking the others, and
having scene Up and follow me, with
out word !"
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 t.
anoverhangiug limb of the Kentucky shor'
but frankly admitted that this could mo-
now be done without difficulty and danger
and that there was possibility of keepin.
the current
Then make that possibility certain
ty, and it shall be the best nights work
you ever performed !" rejoined eugene, il
quick, excited tone.
wen do the best we can, Csp'n," wa
the response " but no man can be sartir
Of the current of this hero crooked streau
in foggy night"
A long silence followed-the voyager
slowly drifted down through misty dark