The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-12-03
THE MAD ENGINEER.
A Thrilling Narrative Of Life on the Mis-
sissippi

A Thrilling Narrative Of Life on the Mis-
sis>ippi
Night on the Father Of Waters! Nigh
with the sable veil lowering over the mourn
ing city of New Orleans!
The shrll roar of the escaping steam tolt
all who heard it, that the steamer "Wes,erl
Belle" had cast off her shore fasts, and wa
now, like an unchanged bird, poising hersel
on the wing. ready to start on her fight ~
the mighty Mississippi.
was not q moment too soCn, for, ere
had reached the promenade deck, the gang
way plank was drawn in. "Gooi bye" wa
said to those gathered on the wharf-hand
kercbiefs iluttered in the breeze, waving al
adicu, and we Were of.
1t was when the cholera was raging 81
fesrfullv in the southwest, almost depopu
lating whole cities in n single day, and car
rying death and desolation into nearly every
family.
The panic was at its height in New Or
leans. business of ali kinds appeared tt
be utterly prostrated before the resistles'
march Uf the dread destroyer. All ol
nearly all, who had friends or pecuniary
ability. we're inten. on placing themselves o.
families at safe distance from the deadly
7isitant.
AS natural consequence, every boat OIL
other conveyance which had not ceased run
ming, was crowded with the flying and fear
stricken citizens.
The "Western Belle" formed no excep,
ton to the general rule, and ON this oeca'
sion, as she swung Of into the stream, au
observer could have readily seen that she
was crowded to her utmost capacity. Ere
she had reached the channel, observed the
captain hurry:ng past me, mutterlng to him.
self apparently in great agitation. 'llad
only known before we cast oE-yet some.
thing must be done. that is evident-bn'
what - L" Give me the charge !"~
Captain Reynolds raised his eyes at the
sound of the clear and -onorous but some
what imperative voice that uttered the
words, and beheld a tall, dark featured and
strikingly handsome man, who had hardly
approached from the opposite direction, aud
who, instantly seized his hand, exclaimed
"Captain, the engineer has left his post
gone upward-dead-th the cholera :" and bis
gestures were significant as be spoke.
81 am already aware of the fact,' said
the captain, with anxiety in his tone, "bu'
why do you evince such an interest in tbs
maiter!" and his momentary, stern gaze
rested upon the cOuntenance Of the stranger.
whose face was partly concealed by a
heavy beard and II oustache Of glossy black.
ness.
81 am Lieutenant George Holton, of the
L. S. Army, but formerly chief engineer of
the 'PrairIe Bird" ut your service!" said
the stranger in hurried manner, mentioning
well known boat, noted in years gone by
for her great speed and superior accOWmo-
datons.
"And your Objects to offer your services
to me as an engineer for the up trip 20 said
Captain Reynolds, inquringIy. "As you
have intutively perceived. it is.' "Sir-
lieutenant, thank you-doubly thank You
and avail myself of your kind offer; ac-
cepting in the same generous spirit with
which it is made, and without further cere-
moDy." said the captain, as he warmly
pressed the hand Of the other. 'knowng
that the fremcn were all green hands, Twas
Fastening charge and manage. as best
might, the engineers department; now
shall feel ut case
''Then let me at once enter upon my du-
ties. There is no time to lose,' said the
Lieut., and there was strange CLEAN in his
restless eyes, and q nervous pecuilarlty in
his gesture.
1t was unnoticcd by the captain-or If
noted, evidently considered the Idiosyncra-
cy Of an ardent ttemperament-as he rep he'd
with satisfaction expressed in his voice =
.'True, true! fear YOU will find matters
in a somewhat confused state, hut YOU can
send forward for me ut every moment
They passed beyond my hearing, and |
leisurclv asccnded to the hurricane deck to
enjoy Il siCsta and cigar for an hour, after
which sought 0ut my state room-found,
entered. closed the door--and was on the
point of congratulating myself on having
been able to secure il, when my attention
was arrested by the earnest intonatlon of a
voice of peculiar beautv-one that could
never be forgotten, though heard mid the
wild beauty and grandeur of an oceans
stCrm--the roar and carnage of battle, or
the discordant murmurings Of an assembled
universe Spell bound, listened.
"Oh. SIR, whatever you arc, for the love
of heaven. assist me to get out of this room,
of every one on board is pending on-l
shudder to ;hink-perhups tue issue of u
few moments:'
There was an indescrihahlc enrnestness in
the utterance of the words that thrilled me
to The soul. To think was to act, and know
ing by the sound that thin board partition
separated me from the fair pleader for
that she was fair would have staked my
cxistence-I immediately drew my heavy
"bowie.' and first assuring her of speedy
delivery. commenced cutting away at the
top of one of the boards.
In two minutes it was loose-in four
took it out and stepped through the open
ing.
What picture was rev ealcd !
Seated on low nst stool. with her auburn
ringlets floating over her shoulders of ala
baster whtcness,
'"In all tie wilderness Of dlsheveed charms"
was a gloriously beautiful maiden Of seem
lnglv not over seventeen summers. and with
eyes as bright as the jewels of rega! dia-
mond.
Her hands were tied behind, and in hel
struggles to free herself, the delicate fesl
was crually lacerased.
One stroke of my knife, and the cords
were severed in an instant, and observing tht
increasing palor of her features, quicker
than it takes to tell it, | had caught her il
nv arms. and borne her through the entrance
which my good blade had effected. IL
dash open the window, and lave her fever
ish brow with the water, was but the work
of moment.
She soon rcvi, ed. and to nv eager qucs
tioning as to the cause Of her painful stu
alton replied that all her family had fallel
victims to the cholera, with the exception
of her eldest brother, who had recovere'
from the disease only to exhibit symptom
of that dark anomaly Of the human mind
insanity. That she had used her utmcs
influence with her brother, to get him Il
visit the north, hoping that the change O
climate and travel would completely restor
him to his former strong mind and health
That an hour before, he had come to he
room with a stout cord in his hand, and sai
in playful manner, that be must tie her up
Apprehending no evil, she had not objected
what she supposed one Of his vacarics. bu
when he drew revolver, and told her ths
the first word she uttered would be her last
then she became alarmed, and begged to b
released. With a strange caimuess and
voice which brookcd no reply, he command
ed her to silence and stating that he wa
the emmissary of Susan dul y commissions