The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-05-29

all; while the rapids of that name, the
most terrific in the whole river, were yet
to be passed. The pilot was one of the
best on the route, but man of passion
ate temper. with a peculiar dogged look
Between 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
falls, they steod together at the wheel,
when, owing to the strong current of the
water and the almost exhausted strength
Of him who had guided us all the night,
one spoke of the wheel slipped from his
hands and nearly caused an accident of a
pretty serious nature. This annoyed his
companion, and hard words passed be-
tween them, since which time sullen ST
lence had been preserved. 49,.
| "When about two miles above the La
chine rapids, some of the rigging aloft
gave way, and the night pilot mounted the
upper deck with ladder and attempted
to make il fast The wind blew fercely,
and while exerting all his strength to stay
the mischief, he lost his hold and fell, the
ladder coming down directly upon the
head Of our governments aid, wounding
him pretty severely. Not pausing to look
at the mischief, he seized the unfortunate
man, and with almost superhuma an strength,
lifted him above the boat railing. The
other, quickly guessing his meaning, and
! winding his arms around the neck of his
companion, they fell together in the boil
ing food below. We lowered the life
boat as quickly as possible, ropes were
thrown out and every effort put forth to
save them-but in vain. They rose to
the surface of the water, still locked in
each others arms, and then sank from our
view forever. 1 -''@t ts
! "The boat now rapidly rushed on, com
ing uearer the frigh.ful rapid, While ter
| ror- struck faces were around us, at the
thoaght that no master hand was near to
| guide us through the dark passage below.
The scene which we had just been called
to witness, only made our situation more
terrific, while wild and fearful eyes around
US bespoke the egouiziag apprehension of
the passengers and crew aswe went plung
ing madly to destruction, scarcely half a
mile from The gull, whose dashing wavts
we could distinctly shear. The. Captain
had frankly told US of. his inability to
guide us through the perilQus passage,
while deck, igangway and cabin, were h.ied
with men, women and children, some OF
whom were praying, some weeping, 9th
ers intensely crazed with en-. agony most
intense for u,terauee. Women eagerly
clu,ehed their children, and husbands
!. pressed their wives to their bosoms with
j only the hope of dying together. The
Captain stood at the wheel, assisted by
y one of the passengers, vainly endeavoring
to hold out to the last and guide her unit
every effort should prove fruitless, while
with strained eyes aud looks Of despair
they gazed through the almost binding
storm upon the craggy rocks. lifting higl
!. their gray bare heads cut of the water
e and upon which they expected every mo
mentSo be dashed to pieces ,-
l. Just as frenzy had begunto calm dow'
Al into sober. earnest preparation for tn
Is doom which awaited them, there cam
n out of the state rooms fair young cTea
or ture over whose head scarce sixteen sum
IS mers had passed. She was of medium
e; hight, and fair as the lily Of her northern
E. cline. She donned q dress : of plai
al |blsck stuff, while the coat of one of th
re deceased pilots was buttened tight
lis around her slight form. Her face wa
lie ashy pale rs she mounted the stairway
er and with her hair -disheysed. by, the vino
she exclaimed, in q voice which run
=" clear as the notes of a bugle above th
slf storm, II know something Of this Lachin
b. rapid, and will use my best endeavors t
ry guide, you, although we have eyerythin
of wind and weather against us. Let tw
)" of yon who are the strongest and mos
! self,possessed, stand by me at the whee
p while the rest invoke His aid who evt
stilleth the tempest, to guide our life-l'
all dened bark safely, through the trouble
ny waters" ss84ees s4av l.,,..,..s. IT
rd Gas if in derisiop Of her matchle
ys courage, the mad waves dashed highe
its while the thunder pealed a loud defan'
lily to her words. q With pallid face and Iii
ed com pressed, she took her, station at u
ire wheel, while two powerful men stood
~. her to aid her as far as possible. Wi
es, q firm hand she raised the, glass and swe
we the scene before her, then bidding the
I'd. to have courage, the boat entered up
us it's fearful course, bounding onward, as
On; eonscious of the hand that guided it's de
be- tiny Her orders were given in Gle,
our loud tones, while she stood proudly ere
the. her eyes frightened into darker blr
ght until one would have fancied her the n
ian ing spirit OF the storm. The water dash
cad against the side of the boat Gro vning
esh fair head with glittering drops; yet 9,
Ible she stood unheeding, while pot an eye
and all that group but gazed in mingled a
gh- aud confidence. upon that delicate for
ook Once again the spoke Of the wheel sl
his ped from the grasp of him who held
of but q fair jeweled hand arrested its pre-