The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1866-01-30
THE YOUNG HEROINE.

Many years ago when / WAS 80 small
: boy as scarcely 70 recolleet Il now. n
: brother and mysolt wers placed on boar,
one OF The 81. Lawrence river steamers a
cabin boys and walters, with a view to be
coming pilots when We we're older. rha
was nearly fifty years ago, and boats wer,
not flied up in the style they are now,ro
were god pilots a thing 10 Le found ever,
day. We bad run up aud down sever IA
times, when one morning, about ten o'clock
We stopped at Brockyille 10 take on board
as usual, government pilot to guide u.
down the river.
IL was late in the season, and we had a
strong wind the night before. leaving the
river rough, and our usual pilot had hard
work 10 keep the boat in its proper track,
while il brought US into Brookyille two
hours later than the usual time. The
clouds overhead still looked cold. and 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
al anxious look on the Captains face,
which bespoke his uneasines, about the Il
nal termination of our journey.
We had good many passengers on
board; and although we usually reached
Montreal by fonr o'clock in the afternoon,
We should be delayed till six, it not later.
About Ten miles this side of Lachine
storm OF rain commenced which rem ered
II almost impossible TO g lide the boat At
alt; while the rapids Of that name, the
most terrific in tile whole river, were vet
to be passed. Tn pilot WAS one Of The
best on the route, but man of passionate
tenn er, with a peculiar dogged look. Be-
t&ten him and the ordinary boat pilo;
there existed an Old grudge, which once or
twice led TO blows when they came in con-
tact with each other. That morning, v hen
passing one of the higher iall,, they stood
together AT the wheel, when, owing to the
strong current Of the waier, and the al
most exhausted strength Of him who had !
guided Us all The night one spoke of the
wheel slipped from his hands, and nearly
caused an accideut of a pretty serious ma
tafe. lhis annoyed hs GO mp ,uion, and
hard words passed between them, since
which time a sullen silence had been pre-
served.
When about two miles above the La
chine rapids, some Of the rigging aloil
gave way, and tile ri lit pilot mounted tile
upper deck with adder, and attempted
. make il fast. The wind blew dercely,
md while exerting all his strength TO stay
he mischief, e lost hi, hold and ell, the
adde, con,ii down directly upon the
ltad OF our government ad, wonnding him
'retty severely. Not pausing 10 look at
ne mischief, he seized de unfortunate
nan, an with almost superhuman
lreogib, lifted him above the boat railing.
The ether quickly guessing his meaning
nd winding lis arm around the neck OF
Us companion, tley fell together Into the
oling flood below. We lowered the life
oats as quickly as PISS ble, ropes were
brown out oud every effort put forth to
ave them but in vain. They rose 10
he surface Of the water, still locked in
''~h OtHIIo AZ MS anu tHtH Baum iiOHi Oui
lew forever.
Tie oat now rapidly rushed on, com !,
y near the ilighiful rapids, while terror ,
ruck faces were around US, at the thought ;.
iat no master hand was near TO guide US /
trough the dark passage below. Tie
;ene which we had just been called TO !,
itness only made our situation more ter !,
BILE, while wild and fearful eyes around J
) bespoke the agonzing apprehension OF !.
e passengers and crew as we went plung !,
< mady to destruction, scarcely half !,
lie from the gulf, whose dashing waves \
t could distinctly hear. The Captain
I'd frankly told US OF his inability to guide :,
through the perilous passage, while ! !
.ck, gangwas, and cabin were filled with : "
en-, women and children, some Of whom 4
IRE praying, some weeping, others inten. !,
Iy crazy with agony too intense for ut.
rance. Women eagerly clutched their
idren, and husbands pressed their wives :
their bosoms with only the hope OF dy- =
: together. The Captain stood at .he = :
leel, assisted by one Of the passengers, :
inly endeavoring to hold out TO Me last, =
4 guide her till every effort should prove = =
Iiiless; Will, with strained eyes and
,ks Of dspair, they gazed through the al ;.
81 blindl storm upon tie craggy rocks, !,
ing high their grey bare heads out OF !,
, water, and upon which they expected 4;
cry moment to be dashed to pieces.
just as frenzy had begun to calm down !.
0 sober earnest preparation for the doom {.
lch awaited them, there came out Of tie
te room fair young creature, over =
ose head scarcely sixteen summers had
'sed. She was Of medium height, and :.
+ as lily Of her northern cline. She -
med dress Of plain block stuff, while -
coat Of one Of the deceased pilots wns -
toned tightly around her body. Her
e Was ashy pale as she mounted the g g
rway, and with her hair disheveled by y
wind, she exclaimed, in voice which !, :
e clear as the note Of bugle above '"'
storm:
! know something of this Lachine rap
and will use my best endeayors TO guide In
], alshosh we have every thing Of wind DE-
wafer against US. Let two cf you Ia
. are Ire strongest aud most self possess inp
stand by me at the wheel, while the ioo
invoke His aid who ever stilleth the VIII
pest 10 guide our life laden bark safe. Of
hrough the troubled waters" IN
1 IL in dkffsigfs NJ her raatnf.Iaa.