St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-06-03

were transported ny IlllI pNti tItc }
mountains TO the kanawah, and thence .
by water to the Falls Of the Ohio, /
whence their removal to Fort Bertrand /.
became an easy matter. To purchase
and ship these goods, and deliver a
package OF letters to friends in the
East, Eugene had been thrice dis
patched-his third commission also
extending to the escorting of the
beautiful heiress, with her servants,
to her new home. This last commits
sion had been so far executed at the
time chosen for the opening of our
story, as to bring the different parties
to the mouth of the great kanawha,
whence the reader has seen them
slowly floating off upon the still,
CLASSY bosom of the belle of rivers"
The day, which was an suspicious
one, passed without anything occur
ring worthy of note, until near four
o'clock, when, as Blanche was stand
ing on the fore part Of the deck
gazing at the lovely scene which sur
rounded her, she saw seemingly fly
ing body suddenly leave limb of
gigantic tree, (whose mighty branches
extended far over the river, and near
| which the boat was then swayed by the
action of the currently, and alight with
a crash upon the deck of the boat, not
more than eight feet from her. One
i glance sutliccd to show her what the
object was, and to freeze the blood
in her veins. The glowing eyes of
a huge panther met her gaze. The
suddcnncss of the shock which this
discovery gave her was overpowcring.
With dcafening shrek she fell upon
her knees and claspcd her hands be-
fore her breast. The panther crouch
ed for his deadly leap, but ere he
sprang, the hunting knife of Eugene
Fairfax (who, with the stecrsman,
was the only person on deck besides
Blanchc), was buried to the Hit in his
side, inilicting a severe but not Il IA
tai wound. The infatuated beast at
once turned upon Eugene, and dead
ly struggle ensued. But it was IA
short one. 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 pan
theirs body, who soon fell to the deck,
dragging the dauntlcss Eugene with
him. On seeing her protector fall,
Blanche uttered another shrek and
rushed to his aid but assistance
from stoutcr arms was at hand. The
boatmen gathered round, and the
savage monster was literally hacked
in pieces with their knives and
hatchcts, and Eugene, covered with
blood, was dragged from under his
carcass. Supposing him to be dead
or lnortalIy wounded, Blanche threw
her arms around his neck and gave
way to passionate burst Of grief.
But he was not dead--hc was no.
even hurt, with the exception of a few
slight scratches. The blood with
which he was covered was the pan
TIERS, not his own. But Blanchc's
embrace was his--a priceless treasure
All index of her hearts emotions
and affections. 1t was to color his
whole future life, as will be seen in
| the progress of our story.
Slowly and silently, save the occa-
sional crcak, dip, and plash of the
steersman's oar, the boat Of our voy-
ayers 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 Il rough hand being
placed upon his shoulder, accompa-
MED by the words, in the gruff voice
of the hoatman:
81 say, Cap'n, here's trouble.
"What is it, Dick? 2" inquired Eu-
gene, starting to his feet.
Don't you see thar's heavy fog
rising, that'll soon kiver us up so
thick that we won't be able to tell a
white man from ngger?" replied
the boatman-Dick Winter by name
"a tall, bony, muscular, athletic
specimen of his class.
Good heaven! so there is !" ex-
claimed Eugene, looking off upon the
already misty waters. at must
have gathered very suddenly, for all
was clear a minute ago. What is to
be done now? This is something |
was not prepared for, on such a night |
as this
alt looks troublois, Cap'n, I'll al |
low" returned Dick but we're in
fort, that's sartin, and s'posc we'll |
have to make the best ont"
But what is to be done what |
do you advise 2" asked Eugene, in a
quick, excited tone, that indicated |
some degree of alarm.
"Why, eff you warn't so skcered !
about the young lady, and it warn't |
SO dead agin the orders from head |
quarters, my plan would be a cl'ar
onc-rd 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 a moment We must
keep i'll the current by all means !"
elf you cam rcjoincd the boatman
" but when it gifts so dark as we can't
tell one thing from tothcr, it'll be
powerful hard to do; and eff we don't
rum agin 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'n-it's thickcning up fast
we can't see eythcr bank at all, nor
the water nyther the stars is gettin'
dim, and it looks as if thar war Il
cloud all round us"
i see q! ! see :" returned Eugene,
cxcitcdly. "Mcrcirul Heaven! /
hope no accident will Defall us here
and yet my heart almost misgives
ne for this, ] believe, is the most
dangerous part Of our journcy--thc
vicinity where most of our boats have
been captured by the savages."
Saying this, Eugene FASTENED below,