The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-10-19


first assuring her of, speedy delivery,
commenced cutting away at the top Of
one Of the boards.
In two minutes it was loose-in tour'
took it out and stepped through the open.
ing.
What picture was revealed
Seated on low stool. with her auburn
r;nglets floating over shoulders of a,abas-
ter whiteness,
an all the wlldness of dshevcled charms :"
was glorously beautiful maiden Of
seemingly not over Seventeen Summers,
and eyes as bright as the jewels of re.
gal diadem.
Her hands were tied behind and in
her struggles to free herself, the delicate
flesh was cruelty lacerated.
One stroke of my knife and the cords
were severed in an instant, and observing
the increasing pallor Of her features,
quicker than it takes me to tell it, had
caught her in my arms, and borne her
through the entrance which my good
blade had effected. To dash open the
window, and to lave hcr feversh brow
with water, was but the work of a mo
ment.
She soon revived, and to nv eager
questioning as TO the cause of her painful
situation replied, that all her family had
fallen victims to the cholera, with the es.
ception OF her eldest brother, who had
recovered from the disease only to exhi5
it symptoms of that dark anomaly of the
3 I,,.x
used her utmost influence with her broth
er TO get him to visit the north, hoping
that the change Of climate ard travel
would completely restore him to his for
mer strong mind aud health. That an
hour before, he had come to her loom
with stout cord in bis hand, and said in
playful manner, that be must tie her
up. Apprehending no evil, she had not
objected to what she supposed one Of his
vagarles, but when he drew revolver,
and told her that the frs words she ut
tered would he her last hcn she became
alarmed, and begged to be released
With strange calmmess and voice which
brooked no reply, he commanded her TO
silence and stating that he was an emi.
sary Of Satan, duly commissioned to
drive the steamer to hell,* locked the
door and departed.
She paused, and faint smile shone
through her tears, ike the sunshine in
mid summer rain.
\ light dawneG upon my mind The
engineer was then, 40 brother Of this an
galic picture Of loveliness, and he-I shud
dered as | remembered to have noticed
the increasing speed OF the boat and the
heavy roar of the exhausted ppe-was
u mIdndn!
No time was to be lost. Hastily tell.
ing her the little | knew of the lieuten.
ants movements, escorted her to the
grand saloon, Ind promising to return the
moment found her brother, went in
search of the captain.
Hardly had reached the staircase,
when my attention was arrested by a
wild yell Of apparent exutation, which
rose high and shrIl above all other sounds
chilling in its demonac intonation, and
seeming the dread Larbinger Of coming
doom!
involuntarily raised my hands to my
ears, as did others, to shut ont the terrific
sound.
In Gods name, what was thatr ex-
claimed an elderly gentleman by my side
to an officer OF the boat, who rushed past
US in the direction of the engine room.
The Mad Engineer! Our lives are in
fearful peril Follow if you would know
morer
a moment later, and we were at the
scene Of excitement, and beheld sight
to chill the blood ia the stoutest heart
With coat oh-eyes flashing menance
revolver in hand, commanding the
range Of enlrace, and the register show
ing an amount of steam far beyond the
rated capacity of the boilers-the engin.
eer was seated upon the safety valve to
keep it down! and giving occasional ~.
terance to wild veil, as his weapon
threatened with death the horror stricken
crowd without
No questions we're asked-none were
needed--it was evident that the engineer
had driven the fremen from their station
soon after taking his new position-had
! transferred several barrels Of oil and rosin
to the fire under the boilers, and the
sharp, shrIi roar from the escape, pipe, as
well as the quiVerDg OF the steamer from
truck to keelson, as she leaped through
the water with the impetuously Of mad
racer, told each the fearfuness Of the
| peril which was momentarily increasing.
I'VE shall be blown to eternity Shoot
the wild beast down! Our lives are in
! the balancen The words were omirous.
ly echoed by the sharp click Of a revol-
/ yer.
Stay! Hold! On your life fire not y
And the voice rang like clarion, yet
, with all the sweet music of an eolian
harp, as the crowd parted righ. and left
and the maiden OF my story-the sister,
magnificent even 10 her pallid beauty,
| rushed to the entrance.
George! My brothorp
Virginia You herep
The fire in the eyes Of the madman