The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-02-21
The Heroine Of the St, Lawrence.

a
on board one of the St Lawrence river steamers as
cabin boys and walters, with view to our becoming
pilots when we were older That nearly fifty
years ago, and boats not fitted up in the style
they now, nor were good pilots thing to be found
every day. We had run up and down several times,
when morning, about ten o'clock, stopped at
Broclyille TO take on Ecard as usual, government
pilot to guide us down the river
1t was late in the season. and we had strong wind
the night before, leaving the river rough, and our
usual pilot had hard work to keep the boat in its pro
per track while it brought us iuto Brockyille 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 of
the harbor, and were bounding on our way. Through
out the morning noticed an anxious look on the
captains face, which bespoke his uneasness about the
final termination CT the journey.
We had good many passengers on board, and al
though usually reached Montreal by four o'clock in
the afternoon, We would be delayed until six if not
latter. About ten miles this side of Lachne storm
of rain commenced, which rendered it almost imposs
BILE to guide the boat at all while the rapids of that
name, the most terrific in the whole river were yet to
be passed. The pilot one of the best the
route, but man of passionate temper, with peculiar
dogged look. Between him and the ordinary boat
pilot there existed an old grudge which twice
! led to blows when they came in contact with each
other. That morning when passing Of the higher
falls, they stood together at the wheel when owing to
the strong Of the water and the almost ex-
hausted 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 pretty serious ma
ture. This annoyed his companion and hard words
passed between them, since which time suen silence
I had been preserved.
When about two miles above the Lachne rapids,
some Of the rigging aloft gave way, and the night
pilot mounted the upper deck with ladder and at
tempted to make it fast The wind blew fiercely; and
while exerting all his strength stay the mischief he
lost his hold and fell the ladder coming down directly
on 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 super
human strength lifted him above the boat railing
The other, quickly guessing his meaning, and winding
his around the neck of his companon they fell to-
gether in the boiling food below We lowered the
life-boats quickly possible, ropes were thrown
out and every effort put forth to them but in
vain. They to the surface Of the water locked
in each others arms, and then sank from our view
! forever.
! The boat now r.pidly rushed on, coming near the
fghtiul rapids while terror-sruck faces were around
US, at the thought that master hand was near to
guide US 10 the dark passage below. The scene which
we had just been called 10 witness only made stua-
ton more terrific, while wild aud fearful eyes around
bespoke the agouising apprehension of the passen
gers and crew we went madly punging to dcstruc-
li0n scarcely half mile from the gulf whose dashng
waves we could distinctly hear. The captain had
frankly told US OF his inability to guide through
{
were filed with men, women and children, some of
whom were praying, some weeping, others intensely
crazy, with an agony too intense for utterance.
Women eagerly clutched their children, and husbands
pressed their wives to their bosous with only the hope
of dying together. Tie captain stood at the wheel,
assisted by one Of the passengers, yany endeavorng
hold the last and guide her till every effort
should prove fruLess while, with strained eyes and
looks Of despair, they looked through the almost
binding storm upon the craggy rocks lifting high
their grey, bare heads out of the water and upon
which they expected every moment to lie dashed 10
pieces.
Just as the frenzy had begun to calm down into
SOBER earnest preparation for the doom which awaited
them, there came out of the state-room fair young
creature whose head scarce sixteen sumhcIs had
passed. She OF medium height and fair as the
lily Of her northern cline, She donned dress Of
plain, black stuff while the Of one of the de-
ceased pilots butoued tightly around her slight
forln Her face asly pale as she mounted the
stairway and with her hair disheyeed by the wind,
she exclaimed in voice which rung clear as the notes
of bugle above the storm:
=" know something of this Laeline rapid and will
my best endeavors to guide you, although have
everything of wind and water against Let of
you who the strongest and most self-possessed
stand by me at the Wheel while the rest Invoke His
aid WHO ever stilleth the tempest to guard our life
laden bark safely through the troubled waters
As if in detision of her matchless courage the mad
waves dashed higher while the thunder pealed loud
defiance to her words With palid face and lips CON
pressed she took her station at the wheel while two
powerful men stood by to aid her far as possible.
With firm hand she raised the glass and swept the
scene before her. then bidding tben to have courage
the boat entered upon its fearful course if conscious
of the hand that guided its destiny. Her orders
given in clear, loud tone, while she stood proudly
erect her eyes frightened into darker blue till one
would have fancied her the ruling spirit of the storm.
The dashed against the side Of the boat crown
ing her fair head with gitering drops yet she stood
unbending while not eye in all that group but
gazed with mingled ave and confidence upon that
delicate form.
Once again the wheel slipped from the grasp of him
who beld it but fair, jeweled hand arrested its pro
gress, and stayed the destruction which otherwise
would have followed its swerve from duty. Onward
sped the noble bark and when darkness shut tie last
rock from view, shout rose high above the storm for
her who had SO bravely guided through the shadow
of death.
She would receive no thanks fer herself but babe
give thanks to Him whose voice rulet the storm. She
retired to her statefoom, and was lost to view,
Around the cabin table that night, about an hour
before we entered the harbor of Montreal we learned
her history. She the daughter Of the merchant
who owned the line of boats enc of which she had
just saved from ruin Her mother died when she
child and her father had yielded to her wishes; and
allowed her to accompany him on the boat of which he
was captain. By degrees she became acquainted with
every bend in the beautiful river, while calm and storm
alike brought scenes of beauty to her eye. She was
now OH her way to visit some friends in Quebec,
where her father proposed joining her to spend the
winter.
A gentleman artist sketehed likeness on a leaf oi
his portfolio, she stood at the wheel wrappedin the
pilots coat and the full length portrait still graces the
gallery of arts in Montreal Many rough hand
grasped the snowy fingers at parting, and many
blessing crowned her noble head.
| A magnificent diamond bracelet, bearing upon an
inside plate the name of the vessel and the date of the
occurrence, presented to her about week after
her arrival in Quebec, by the passengers who we're on
board the time while loud and triumphat the
praises borne the of fond parent Of the noble
conduct of that rail but fearless who had brayed
the dangers before which hearts and stroug forms
had quailed.
I " And what became Of her alteward ?" l asked.
"She married officer in Quebec, and her children
| still live there. One is noble boy, or rather man
now and pows the ocean in one Of the battlesps Of
England
/ THE DEAD OF lSG5-It would be difficult to recall
year whose neurological list embraced so many illus
trious names as that of 1863 The sword gathered
in mighty array of victims, the assassins' bullet
brought down the most distinguished and beloved, and
fatal disease has cut a wide swarth in the ranks OF
craftsmanship, science, theology and royalty. OF