Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-12-02

tween the shore and the shoal near the
centre OF the stream, steamboat be-
longing to the same company as that IN
which we were embarked, but which
had discharged her cargo, and was ly-
ing at anchor, was directed to attempt
the passage, as, in the event of her
grounding. the Inconvenience would
be comparatively trivial in her case,
and we could at once be transferred in
to some of the fiat-bottomed boats
which ply In the harbor, in order to
prevent further loss of time. This was
accordingly done, and having passed
the shoal, she lay-to beside it, as a
further protection TO us; but, as it sub
sequently proved, with better inten-
ton than Judgment, for, owing to the
limited space thus afforded to our own
boat, the pilot perceived, an instant to
late, that IN order to keep us clear of
the shore, we had no alternative but to
stop short, or to run foul the steamer
which had been designed to prevent
disaster. He. of course, attempted the
former expedient, but he had lost his
chance by hairs breadth. Before his
mandate could be obeyed, and the
stream backed, one turn of the paddle
wheels drove onr figure head crushing
through the side of the other boat, and
almost threw MS off our feet.
Great was the cutlery; for nothing is
effected on board foreign craft with
out noise and vociferation. The river,
the shoal and the boats, injurer and in
iured alike, were freely made over to
ms Satanic majesty, without the tran
mel of legal formallties; and the cour-
tesy was very efficiently and promptly
returned by the crew of the other yes
sci. Ultimately, after great evertion
we got clear, and something like order
was restored; my friend baptiste, who
was evidently an individual of some
mark on board, resigned the helm TO
another OF the crew, and went forward
to ascertain the extent of the damage
which we had ourselves sustained.
The figure-head had been carried away;
and he strobe over the bows of the boat
to examine the evil i'll detail. Unfor-
tunately, he was, according to custom,
followed by lis faithful fayOfite, who,
on the disappearance of his master be-
hind the bulwarks of the vessel, instant
ly sprang after him. The man had
found footing upoW some projecting
piece of timber, but the dog was less
happy. The leap which it took to clear
the side of the boat carried it beyond
help, and il fell into the river. We
were in full understanding at that
moment nine or ten knots an hour, for
we had at length left all impediments
behind us-nnd the consequence was
inevitable. The next revolution of the
wheel drew the wretched animal into
the vortex: it was caught up-dropped
from paddle to paddle, until it had
made its miserable circuit-aud then
cast back manned, GislOcated and dying,
amid the foaming and kissing waters!
The cry of "a man overheard y ut
sea, must be thrilltng-frightful. It
has SO CHANGED that it has never been
nay fate to hear it during my wander
earnestly do l hope that it never
may; for the catastrophe of the poor
Leimsman' S dog was to me sufficiently
Never shall forget it The
wFetched Baptiste-for at that mo-
ment am convinced that he was wretch
ed-had staggered once more to the
deck; and my own shrek was rot more
shrill nor more wild than that with
which it was echoed by the desolate and
heart-wrung man beside me. I am
persuaded that the dog heard and recog-
nized the voice TO which it had been so
long obedient,. for ere it was lost to
sight, caught a last transient view of
It's dying eyes, and they were still fol-
lowing the vessel. Baptiste had sprung
upon the raised platform of the
tiller, and was still gazing eagerly in
the direction eff the quivering and ag-
onized animal, when IT, disappeared;
and then he covered bis weather beaten
face with his large hands, and wept
He was now indeed alone. In the
excitement of the moment, L entreated
the captain of the steamer to lay-to for
q few minutes to enable the poor helms
man to recover his lost treasure: but,
with better judgment, he at once mega
lived my suit, alleging that not only
would the bulk of the passengers OBJ
ect to such q detention, upon what
they would consider so trivial pretext,
but also that it would assuredly only
tend to increase the grief of Baptiste
we're he to see the actual condition of
his favorite.
ct am sorry for the poor man," he
said feelingly, "for he was an honest
fellow and good sailor, and that dog
vas net a common place dog TO him.
It was the only friend that he had in
,he world, aud he did not seem to wish
iOr another. However, what's done
amt be recalled, and Bijou is dead by
his time, or at least hope so, for lie
AN scarcely have a whole bone left in
lis skin"
I shuddered as l turned away. And
his then was the termination of the in
accent and faithful attachment in which
he bereayed Baptiste had found con-
in cruel grief / did not VEN
ure for some time to speak to him.
he had restrained the current of his
ears, and had resumed the helm, and
ne stood at his post with his long griz-
lily hair streaming in the wind, his lips
lightly compressed, and his chest heav-
very type of deep and word
ess suffering. At length we reached
and then for the first time
'ince the catastrophe, approached the
lelmsman.
"Baptiste,' / said, "you have indee d
a heavy loss, but be comfort
ID. The agony Of your poor favorite
must have soon been over" AS spoke
saw the pale lips culver, and the eye
ids assume a tremulOus appearance,
which convinced me that the penitent |
yrief of the poor fellow would soon |
lgain have way, and / was glad of 1t. |
Il am well aware" continued, ''only |