Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-05-21

wound. The lnturIated beast at once i
turned upon Eugene, and q deadly strug-
ole ensued. But it was short one.-t
The polished blade of the knife played |
back and forth like lightning flashes, and |
at every plunge it was buried to the hilt
in the panther's body, who soon fell to |
the deck, dragging the dauntless Eugene
with him. On seeing her protector fall,
] Blanche uttered another shrek and rush
ed to his aid; but assistance from stouter
arms was at hand. The boatmen gath
, cred round, and the savage monster was
| literally hacked in pieces with their knives
t and hatchets, and Eugene, covered with
blood, was dragged from under his car
f cas-, Supposing him to be dead or NOR
r tally wounded, Blanche threw her arms
a around his neck and gave way to a pas
e sionate burst of grief. But ne was not
: dead-he was not even hut, with the
S exception Of few slight scratches. The
5 blood with which he was covered was the
panther's, not his own. But Blanche's
/, embrace was his-a priceless treasure
d an index Of her hearts emotions and af-
/; fections. 1t was to color his whole fu-
e ture life, as will be seen in the progress
S of our story.
a Slowly and silently, save the OCCASION
e al creak, dip, and splash of the steers
y mans oar, the boat of our voyagers was
II borne along upon the bosom of the cur
g rent, on the third night of their voyage
The hour was waxing late, and Eugene
el the only one astir except the watch, was
d suddenly startled, by a rough hand being
If placed upon his shoulder, accompanied
N by the words, in the gruff voice of thu
le boatman:
IN Il say, Cap'n, here's troublel"
er "What is it, Dick ?" inquired Eugene
De starting to his feet,
ee "Don't you see thar's heavy fog ris
e. ing, that'l soon kiver US up so thick tha
we won't be able to tell white man fror
tn niger ?" replied the boatman-Dic
er Winter by name-a tall, bony, muscular
he athletic specimen of his class.
he "Good heaven so there is p exclaim
\
er, misty waters. at must have gathere
ad very suddenly, for all was cleara miuut
ago. What is to be done now? This
to something 1 was not prepared for, Q
We such night as this"
of SIT looks troublous, Cap'n, I'll allow
he returned Dick; "but we're in fort, that
to sartin, and s'pose we'll have to make ii
ri best ont"
- "But what is to be done ?-what
he you advise ?" asked Eugene, in quic
led excited tone, that indicated some degre
to of alarm.
md "Why, eff you warnt so skeered abo
ch, the young lady, and it warn't so de;
the agin the orders from head quarters, n
of plan would be a crar and easy ONE
ase just run over to the Kaintucky shore, al
en- tie up.''
ON mo, no." said Eugene, positivel,
ere 'that will never do, Dick-that will nev
ins dol Iwould not think of such thi
: to for moment We must keep in t
re- current by all means l'
asy "Ef you can,' rejOined the boatma
ese shut when it gifts so dark as we can't t
.ers one thing from t'other, it'll be power
cen hard to do; and eff we don't run agin
sion bar or bank afore morning, in spite
the the best o. US, it'll be the luckiest go Il
!, to ever / had hand in. See, Cap'n-
sion thickening up fast; we can't see eytl
ime bank at ali, nor the water nyther;
T, as stars is gettin dim, and it looks as eff Il
'uth war cloud all round US"
cad 81 see I see p returned Eugene
pom citedly. "Merciful heaven! l hope
e of accident will befall US here-and yet
heart almost misgives me-for this, I
one lieve, is the most dangerous part of
Wor- journey-the vicinity where most of
,hen boats have been captured by the sa
part ges."
Gene Saying this, Eugene fastened bel
sem- where he found the other boatmen sic
limb ing so soundly as to require considera
ran effort, on his part, to wake them.
and last, getting them fairly reused, he
d by formed them, almost in whisper, for
with did not care to disturb the others, th;
not heavy fog had suddenly arisen, and
One wished their presence on deck, imm
OBJ ately.
her "a fog, Cap'n?" exclaimed one, il
pan tone which indicated that he conn
SIS of hended the peril with the word.
her "Hush !" returned Eugene; 'ther
ming no necessity for waking the others,
lasp- have a scene. Up and follow me, v
The out a word p'
I - H. 5aal- arl