Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1859-02-24
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THE MAD ENGINEER:
A Thrilling Episode Of Life on the
Mississippi.
BY J. WOODRUFF LEWIS.

BY ]. WOODRUFF LEWIS.
Night on the Father of Waters
Night with her sable veil lowering
over the mourning city of Ney
| Orleans
Ths shrill roar Of the escaping
steam told all who heard it thai
the steamer "Western Belle e'had cast
off ber shorefasts, and was now. like
an uncaged wild bird, posing herself
on wing ready to start on her
flight up the mighty Mississippi.
/ was not "a moment too soon,
for ere / had reached the promenade
deck, the gang-plank was drawn
in. "Good bye" was said to those
gathered on the wharf, handkerchiefs
fluttered in the breeze, waving an
adieu, and we were off.
1t was when the cholera was rag
ing so feariully at the Southwest,
almost depopulating whole cities
in a single Gay, and carrying death
and desolation into nearly ever
family.
The panic was at its height in
New Orleans. Business Of all kind
appeared to be utterly Frustrated
before the resistless march of the
dread destroyer. All, or nearly all,
who had friends OR pecuniary ability
we're intent only on placing them
selves or families at safe distance
from The deadly visitant.
AS natural consequence every
boat or other conveyance which
had not ceased running was crowded
with the flying and fear-stricken
citizens.
The "Western Belle" found no ex-
ception TO the general rule, end
on this occasion, as she swung off
into the stream, an observer could
readily have seen that she was crow
ded to her utmost capacity.
Ere we had reached the channel,
| observed the captain hurry past
me, muttering to himself apparently
in great agitation:
"Had / only known before we
cast of; yet something must be
done, that is evident; but wbat?'
"Give me the charge!'
Captain Reynolds raised bis eyes
at the sound of the clear aud sono.
rous, but somewhat imperative
voice that uttered the words. and
beheld tall, dark featured and strik-
ingly handsome man, who bad
hastily approached from The oppo-
site direction, and who instantly
seizing his hand, exclaimed:
"Capiain, the engineer has left
his post-gone upward dead -the
cholera!' and his gestures we're
significant as he spoke.
Il am already aware of the
fact!' said the captain with anxiety
in his tone; "but why do you evince
such an interest in the matter
while bis momentarily stern gaze
rested upon the countenance OF the
stranger, whose face. was partly
concealed by heavy beard and
moustache of glossy blackness.
81 am Lieutenant George Hilton,
of the United States army, but form
erly chief engineer Of the "Prairie
Bird" at your service!" said the
stranger, in a hurried manner, men.
tioning a well-known boat, noted
in years gone by for her great.speed
and superior accommodations.
Sand your object is to Offer
your services to me as engineer
for up trip2" said Captain Rey nolds
/ ipqulringly.
"As you have intuitively perceiv.
ed, it is."
"Sir--Lientenant, / thank yor
l-doubly thank you-and viii
avail myself Of your kind offer
accepting it in the same generous
spirit with which it is made, and
without further ceremony!" sale
the Captain as he warmly pressed
the hand of the other. "Knovine
that the fremen were all greer
hands, / was just Fastening to taxi
charge and manage as best | might
, the engineers department; but no,
!, shall feel at ease. ~
aTben let me at oace enter up