Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1870-12-29
MASONRY.
Thrilling Incident.

Mason gives the LOIioWlng graph
lie sketch of an Incident occur
ring during a Masonic excursion
on the Mississippi, Ohich COO.
and ch~ivalrous Knight TempIar
ship alone saved from proving
fatally DISASTROUS
1t was a magnificent sight to
see our immense boat. accom-
panied by the Lady Gay and the
Belle of Alton, their decks crowd
ed with fair ladies and Knights
Templar, bands of music, distin.
guished citizens and invited
guests, as they steamed mp the
Mississippi, then down to JEFF;
erson barracks, where We all
went on shore to spend q pleas,
ant hour, after which we again
went on board and steamed mer
rily mp the river.
1 was. standing near the caps
tain. The commander of the
Templars came aud leaned wear.
lily on the capstan. l turned tc
Reuben Milton and whispered il
HE ear these words "That man
was born TO command" He had
the form of q Hercules, the head
of an Apollo, and the eye of m
Iesgle, and, Ne circumstances If.
terWard demonstrated, the Leari
of q lion. Although not 30 very
large. he appeared larger than
he really was; he wss full and
athletic, and still every proper
Ition was q symmetry and every
movement = grAce.
While he was still leaning 81
lently on the capstan. and while
II was yet analysing is fine
couutenance, the captain Of the
steamer. with pale lipS and
blanched cheeks, approached the
young Templar, aud, in y low
and trembling voice, aaid
"Great God sir, we are sink
ing. We are suagged, sir, in the
bottom, and nothing can save
usi"
allow lorg can you keep her
afoWt7" carelessly inquired the
young Templar.
"She may go down in Eve min
utss, she cannot keep affoat more
than fifteen" replied the captain.
"Do not make your situation
known ia any one except the
crew. or We will have n panic,
and then all wsll be lost. Signal
the Lady Gay to lean tn; none
will notice or understand that
signal of distress. Get your crew
and hands ready to move; l will
manage the rest"
Bow. Warder, blow!" said
the young TempIar, speaking ia
his ensign, who stood near him.
at the same time leaping upon
the capatan.
Every one was startled by a
thrill blast from the Wardsr's
trumpet. A hundred Templar'.
swords lcaped from their scab
bar,is at the blast. "Attention.
Sir Knights" shouted the young
commanded. "TLe next ceremo,
ny in the programme ia for the
Sir Knights. ladies and gentle
men on this boat to make a visit
~ our friends on board the Lady
Gay. As the steamers are rap
idly approaching each other, and
can not be kept but q minute oil
two together, the movement musi
be a rapid one. You will form
in procession at once, and al The
boats come together pass oveI
the Sangway under an arch o.
steel to the lower deck of the
Lady Gay. Forward, Sir Knights
IN the gangwsy. Mnsic in front
The hand viii play the .Knight
Templafs' Quickstep.'
Iu obedience to these orders
the Knights formed q double
line to the gangway, facing
round. with swords crossed a
bove tho heads of those forming
the procession.
In less than eight minutes thu
whole precious cargo of humar
liife had passed from the Missis'
sippi to the LADY Gay. even tt
the colored cook. except the two
files of Templars, when the younl
commandant said
From the rear, right and left
Inward wheel, march," And
filing inward, the Templars rap
idly passed over the gaugway t
THE Lady Gay, the young com
mander being the last to leave
lone minute more and the Mis-
sissippi steamer sank to the bot