The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-05-04


-s Fell ,s.s q story Of the ST. Lawrence,
| answered, something real and true.
For moment he was silent then sip
ping his ale, he commenced:
Many yearS ago when ] was no small
boy rs to hardly TecOllect II now, my bro
ther and myself were placed on board one
of the river steamers AZ cabin boys and
walters, with view to become pilots when
we were older. That was nearly fifty years
ago, and boats were not fitted up IN the
style they are now, nor were good pilots
a thing to be found every day. We had
run up and down several times, when one
morning, about ten o'clock, we stopped
at BrOckvilIe to take OH board, ~ usual, .
government pilot TO guide Us down the
river.
It was late In the season, and we had
strong wind the night before, leaving the
river rough, and our usual pilot had bard
work to Keep the boat in its proper track,
while it brought US into BrOckviIle two
hours later than the usual time. The
clouds overhead still looked cold smd the
wind blew fresh and strong when, making
all possible haste, We again put Out Of the
harbor and were soon bounding on, our
way. Throughout the morning ] noticed
nm anxious look on the captains face,
which bespoke his uncasiness about the
final termination Of our journey.
We had q good many passengers on
board, and although we usually reached
Montreal by four o'clock in the afternoon,
we should bedelaysd until six, If not later.
About ten miles this side Of Lachine .
storm Of rain commenced, which rendered
II almost impossible TO guide the boat at
all while the rapids Of that name, the
most terrific In the whole river, we're yet
to be passed. The pilot was one Of the
best on the route, but . man Of passionate
temper, wild peculiar dOgged look. Be-
tween him and the ordinary boat pilot
there existed an old grudge, which had
once or twice led to blows, when they
came in contact with each other. That
morning, while passing one Of the higher
faiis5 they stood together ct -the-W Wheel,
when, owing 10 the strong current Of the
water and the almost exhausted strength
of him who had guided us all night, one
spoke Of the wheel slipped from bis hands
and nearly caused an accident Of pretty
serious nature. This annoyed his COM
paniou, and hard words passed between
them, since which time sullen silence
had been preserved.
When about two miles shove the La
chine rapids, some Of the tigging alolt
gave way, and the night pilot mounted
the upper deck with ladder and attempt
ed to make Il fast The wind blew 1lercely,
and while exertihgall his strength to stay
the mischief he lost his hold and Sell, the
ladder coming down directly upon the
head Of our government aid. wOunding
him pretty severely. Not pausing to look
at the mischief, he seized the unfortunate
man, and, with almost supefhuuIan
strength, lifted him above the boatlrail-
ing. The other. quickly guessing bis
meaning, and winding his arms around
the neck Of his companion, they fell TO-
gether in the boiling food below. We
lowered the kfe-bOat as quickly 90 posi-
bic, ropes were thrown out and. every
effort put forth to save them-but IN vain,
They rose to the sdrface Of the water,
still locked In each others arms, and then
sank from Oisg view for ev0s. i '.a ~
The boat now rapidly rushed on, CON.
ing nearer the frightfnl rapid, while ter.
ror.struck faces were around as, at the
thought that no master hand was near to
guide Us through the dark Paszsee below.
The scene which we had just buesl called
to witness, only made our, dtuatiou mOss
terrific, while wild and fearful eyes around
US bespoke the agonixing apprehension Of
the passengers and crew as We went
plunging madly to destruction, scarcely
half mile from the gulf whose daahiag
waves we, could distinctly hear. The
captain had frankly told US Of bis inability
to guide us through the perilous passage,
while deck, gangway and cabin were
filed with men, women and children,
some Of whom were praying. some weep.
ing, others intensely crazed with an agony
too intense for uttcrnnce. Women eagerly
clutchcd their children, and husbands
pressed their wives TO their bOaomS with
only the hope Of dying together. The
captain stood at the wheel, assisted by
one Of the passengers, vainly endeatoriKa
to hold out to the last and guide her until
every effort should prove fruitlesa, while,
with strained eyes and looks Of despair
they gazed through the almost binding
storm upon the craggy rocks. lifting high
their gray bare heads out Of the water,
and upon which they expected evePy mo.
moment to be dashed to piecea
Just as frenzy had begun to calm down
into sober, earnest preparation for the
doom which awaited them, there came out
Of the state rooms, fair young creature
over whose head scarce sixteen sammera
had passed. She was Of medium height,
and fair as the lily Of her northern CLINE.
She dOnned . dress Of plain black stuff.
while the coat Of one Of the deceased pi.
lots was butt0nsd tightly Aro1Nd her
slight form. Her iace WAS ashy pale "a
she mounted The stairway, and with her
hair djshsyeled by the mind Shs ex.
claimed, II : SOicS which ring ulssf &
the notes 0f . 'bueitahovo lhs ssogui { Il.
II know snmSlhlngs ~ thss KMohins
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Of zoe who ~ NE - -
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pressed nhe teek heR saasi = ns -.
while TO Po9Ntaaf = -
her as ~ aB pQaNlbla K,1a = 49,
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