The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-11-09

bOOrd-fOr Heavens sake let US try to save
them"
For one moment, ss I remembered my or
ders and the extremity of our danger, I psus
I'd but when reflected that, BY departing
we should sbandon two human beings to
horrid death, hesitsted no Ionget. Hastily
learning from the mate OF the vessel that
they were their only passengers, and having
taken refuge in the hold during the late
chase, had since been forgolten-and not
feeling warranted In ordering any one on so
dangerous q 'u'ney, I gave the boat 10
charge Of Irvine, who h-d luckily smuggled
himself on board, sternly bid one or two OF
my crew, who attempted to follow, to keep
their stations, mounted her side by rope
that hung over her quarter, rapidly ,raversed
the deck in the midst OF tremendous heat
and d-rted down the companion way, leaving
the flames roaring not FIVE feet from its en-
trance.
The cabin was large one, and fitted up
with tuste. The decora ations were even lux
urious, and such as I had at that time rarely
seen in merchantmen. The state rooms
were Of mahogany, inlaid with ebony, and
finished off with the greatest elegance
Curtains, apparently OF damask, hung around
and the show Of silver and cut glass by the
companion way was even brilliant. The
cabin was, however,, still ss death. A lody's
glove lay On On ottoman, and beside it was
IN open book but no other traces uf hum n
beings were discernobe around. Where
could the owner OF that sma II, delicate French
glove be ! Was she already victim to that
iright,ul element !-hnd the mate deceived
himself in supposing she had been removed
from the hold! Was there no hope, II she
still lived, Of reaching her in time to cave
her from horrid death All these qnes.
iions flashed rapidly across mSmind, s;d my
heart sickened as owned could Tot an.
sWer them.
The danger, meanwhile. grew mora and
more imminent. was standing, as it were,
above q mine that had been sprung. for
shou'd the flames reach the magazine inev.
table destruction must issue. Nor cou'd
that catastrophe be much longer postponed.
The deVouring element had already gained
possession OF al around, and even now might
be eating ito way rsvenousy towards it,
Besides, If | paused q moment longer, the
FIRE would reach the companion way, and all
hope Of escape from The cabin be cut off.
Had it been only my own life thnt WAS en-
dangered would not have hesitated in per.
Hing it to the utmost but when I remem.
bered that dezen gallant fellows from my
crew, as we'll as u score of others from the
rescued sufferers, would be involved in nv
own fate, could not doubt as TO my duty
These reflections, however, had not occupied
more than the instant in which had been
thro" ing open successfully the doors of the
slate rooms. Alas ! all were empty. With
heavy heart [ was about to mount the
companion way, when mott iced that o
massive curtain at the further end see med to
divide uff smaller cabin a OF the one was
10. Without a moments delay rushed to-.
wards it. hastily lifted il aside, and there be.
held ST.. hit | never shall forget.
This alter cabin was murh smaller, but
lar more luxurious than the other. 1t was
adorned with everything that taste could
suggest or wealth afford. Ouomans ran
completely around it, forming kind OF d-
van. Al one side was harp, and besidA it
after the first hosty survey, saw nothing
but group of two beings before me. One
Of them was gray-b"iTed man, apparently
about sixty five, dressed in the gentls manly
costume OF a former day. H. was bending
wildly over the almost inanimlte form of Il
fair girl, rec Inning on the cushions. Never
had seen being who louk' more beuuIi.
tul than that pale, hali.faiuting creature
seemed at that moment. One arm wss sup
ported on the divan, and the other was thrown
around her fathers neck, the blue veins just
discernable as they stole along beneath the
ivory skin.
Her head rested on the bosom Of her pa
rent, aud the hair, loose aud unbound, stream
ed in dark, gloesy ringlels over her snowy
shoulders. At the Doise made by my entrance
he started, raised her head. and could see
through the tears that alistened on her lash
IS, one OF the sweetest hszeI eyes have
.ver looked upon. A quick flush shot over
ner face. crmsoning it like rose leaf as
she beheld a stranger; and half starting tu
her feet, she essayed moment to speak,
nd then stood with half opened lips, gazing
almost wildly upon me.
"For Gods sake fly :" cried, "the ship
is on fte in every part-we can barely es.
cape by the companion w"y-in another in.
stant she will blow up-why hesitate! For
Heavens sake, come -
"Oh sir, God bless you for this Kindness
there is then hope r excaimed the old
man-"but Isabel has tainted" he continu.
ed, $50, fly, will die with het." he said
in voice OF agony, vsinly endeavoring TO
raise in his enieebled arms the seemingly
hieless form Of bis daughter.
| looked into her face. The transition
from calm despair to hope had been too
great, and she had indeed tainted. II was
no time to hesitate. Hsstily raising the