The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-10-19
SrlrrteA Sturu.
From the Empire City.
THE MAD ENGINEER !
A THRILLING EPISODE OF LIFE on THE
MISSISSIPPI.
BY J. WOODRUFF LEWIS.

Night on the Father of Waters! Night
with her sable veil lowering over the
mourning city Of New Orleans
The shrll roar of the escaping steam
told all who heard it, that the steamer
Western Belle had cast off her shore.
fasts, and was now, like an uncaged wild
bird, posing herself on the wing, ready
to start on her fight up the mighty Miss
issippi.
was not moment too soon, for ere
had reached the promenade-dec the
gangplank WAS drawn in. Good bye
was said to those gathered on the whar!
-haudkerchiefs futtered in the breeze,
waving an adieu, and we were off.
1t was when the cholera was raging so
fearfully in the south west, almost depop.
ulating whole cities in single day, and
carrying death and desolation into nearly
every family.
The panic was at its height in New
Orleans, Business OF all kinds appeared.
to re utterly prostrsted before the resist
less march of the dread DESTROYER. All,
or nearly ALL who had friends or peeuni
AIRY ability, were intent on placing them
selves OF families at a safe distance from
the deadly visi,ant.
As natural consequence, every boat
or other conveyance which had not ceased
running, was crowded with the nving
and fearstricken citizens.
Tie Western Belle formed no excep.
ton TO the general rule, and on this occa.
sion, rs she swung oil into the stream. an
observer could have readily seen that she
was crowded 70 her utmost capacity.
Ere we had reached the channel ob.
served the captain hurry past me, mutter-
iug TO himself apparently in great aggita
ton
Had | only known before we cas-, off
yet something must be done, that is
evidcnt--but what {?
Give me the charge !
Captain Reynolds raised his eyes at the
sound OF the clear and sonorous but some.
what imperative voice that uttered the
words, and beheld a tall, dark featured,
and strklngly handsome man who had,
hastily approached from the opposite di.
rect:on, aud who, instantly Selling his
hand, exclaimed
Captain, the engineer has left his post
gone upward d-dead-lhe choleran and
his gestures were significant as he spoke.
Il am already aware of the fact = saiG
the captain, with anxiety in his tones ;
but why do you evince such an interest
in the matter 7 and his momentary stearn
gaze rested upon the countenance Of the
stranger, whose face was partly concealed
by heavy beard and moustache Of CLOS
sy blackness.
Il am Lieutenant George Hilton, Of the
United States Army, but formerly chief
engineer OF The Prairie Bird at your ser
vice y said the stranger, in a hurried
manner, mentioning a well known boat,
noted in years gone by for her great
speed and superior accommodations
And your object is to offer your seryi.
ces to me as engineer for the up trip 2
said Captain REYNOLDS, iuquiringly.
AS you have intutively perceived, 1t is.
'Sir-lieutenant, thank you-doubly
thank you-and will avail myself oS your
kind offer accepting in the same generous
spirit with which it is made, and without
further ceremony = said the captain, as
he warmly pressed the hand Of the other.
knowing that the tiremen were all green
hsads, was just Fastening to take
charge, and manage, AS best might, the
engineers department-but now shall
feel at ease
Then let me at once enter upon my
duties there is no time to loose = said
the lieutenant, and there WAS strange
gIeam in his restless eyes, and nervous
peculiarly in his gesture.
Ii was unnoticed by the caplain-or il
be noted, evidently considered the idus-
yncracies Of an ardent temperament-as
he replied, with satisfaction expressed in
his voice
True, true | fear YOU will find mat.
ters in somewhat confused state, but
YOU can send forward for me at any mo-,
ment.
They passed beyond my hearing, and
leisurely ascended to the hurricane deck
to enjoy siesta and cigar for an hour,
after which sought out 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
intonation of a musical voice of peculiar
besuty-one that could never be after.
ward forgotten tho heard'mid the wild
beauty and grandeur Of an ocean storm
the roar and carnage of battle, or the
discordant murmurs OF an assembled uni.
verse spelIbound, listened
'Ob, sir, whatever you are, for the love
of Heaven, assist me to get out of this
room-and at ouce Our safety--ay,
the lives Of every one on board is pending
on shudder TO think--perhaps the
issue OF a few moments !
There was an indescribable earnestness
in the utterance Of the words that thrilled
me to the soul. To think WAS to act, aud
knowing by the sound that only thin
board partition separated me from the
fair pleader--for that she Das fair
would have staked my eristence--! i'm.