Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1859-04-28
" As you have intuitively perceived, i


kind offer; accepting it in the same generous
spirit with which it is made, and without
further ceremony - said tho captain as he
warmly pressed the hand of the other
"kuowing that the fireinen were all green
hands, | was just fastening to take charge
and manage as best might, the engineers
department but now | shall fee. more at
ease
'"Thcn let me enter at once upon my du-
ties; there is no time to loSe!" said the lierl-
tenant, and there was a strange CLEAN in his
wild, restless eyes, and nervous popularity
in his gesture.
It was unnoticcd by the captain--o- if no.
tlced, evidently considered the idiosyncracics
Of an ardent temperament-as he replied,
with satisfaction expressed in his voice
True, true! fear you will find matters
in q somewhat confused state but you can
SEND forward for me at any moment
They passed beyond my hearing. and
ieisurely assembled to the hurricane deck to
enjoy siesta and cigar for an hour, after
which ! sought my state room found it, en-
tered, closed the door-and was about to con-
Eratuiate myself on having been able to Sc
cure it, when my attention was arrested by
the earnest iutonations Of q musical voice Of
peculiar beauty. one which never could be
atterward forgotten. though heard mid the
wild beauty and grandeur of an ocean storm,
The roar ana carnage Of battle, or the dis
cordant murdurs OF an assembled universe
spell bound listened:
"Oh sir, whoever you are, for the love Of
Heaven, assist me to get out Of this room
at once. Our safety-ayc, the lives of every
one on board are pending-l shudder to think
perhaps the issue of few moments"
There was an indescribabe earnestness in
the utterauce of the words that thrilled me
to the soul. 70 think was to It, and know
ing by the sound that only thin board par
tition separated me from the fair pleader-for
that she was fair would have stakcd my
very existence-l Immediately drew my bowie
and. first assuring her of speedy deliver
! ancc. commenced cutting away at the top Of
one Of the boards.
In two minutes it was oose-in four tool:
it out and stepped through the opening.
| What u picture was revealed.
Seated On low stool, with auburn ring
let's floating over shoulders Of alabAateE white
| ness,
In all the wilincss of dishcveled charms"
was gloriously beautiful maiden of seem
| ingly not over II Summers, and eyes as bright
| rs the jewels Of a regal diadem.
Her hands were tied behind, ana in her
struggles to free herself, the delicate flesh was
c~uclly laceratcd.
One stroke of my knife and the cords wero
severed in an instlnt; and observing the iu-
creased pallor OF her features. quicker than
it ta&es Inc to tell it, had caught her in my
| arms, and borne her through the entrance
wnich my good blade had effected. TO dash
open the window, and to lave her teverish
brow with water, was but the work Of mo-
ment
She soon revived, and to my eager qucs-
tioping as to the cause of her painful posi-
ton, replied that all her family had talen
victims TO the cholera with the exception Of
her eldest brother, who had recovered from
the disease only to exhibit symptons Of that
dark anomaly to the human mind--in. anity
That she had used her utmost influence with
her brother to get him to visit the North,
hoping that the change Of climate aud travel,
would restore him to his former strong mind
and health. That an hoHr, before he had
come 10 her room with stout cord in his
81, ',,;I
,.I ,IiEI Nv s s''S
W ,'i NV ,'t ,'h
10 ~ ,..i
would be her last, then she became alarmed
and begged TO be released. With a strange
caln,ness and yclce which broo,cd no renly
he commanded her to silence, and stating
that he was an omissary OF Satan, duly COM
! nlissiOncd to drive the steamer to hell, locked
the Goor and dcpaftc'.
| She paused, and flint smile shone through
! her tears like the Sunshine in mids,im-
mer ram
y light oawn9I Upon my mind The en-
gineer was then, the brother OF this angelic
picture "i l"vtiiness ana he-l shndderfd
as remember to nave noticed the increasing
speed OF the boat with the heavy roar OF the
EXHAUST PlPe-"as Il MADNiAH
| No time was TO be lost Hastily telling
| her the little | knew of the lieutenant s
movements, escorted her to the grand sa-
| loon, ana promising 10 return inc moment l
lonnd her brother, went in search OF the
captain.
| Hardly had / reached the staircase when
my attention was arrested by a wild yell of
apparent exutaton, which rose high and
shrill above all other sounds chilling in its
dclnoniac intona!ions. and seeming the dread
harbingcr of coming doom.
inyoluntarily raised nv hands to INV
car, rs did others To sbnt ont tbe terrific
sound.
"T'ur Ma, Eyc,vrrp, Orr l;ycs ar. in
fearInl roril, Follow if Won world Enow
moro !"
.. 49,.
'';o'enI '',"' anu We "tit q. 'iie noetie
oi oI'ilen"'t, "n'' "g'ei' S's"' 10 sl''' li'e
o'oou III '''' "''''.eS' Mart
With coat Ott-py,IS tioSlinv