The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-11-24
Thrilling incident.

A WRITER in the Michigan Free Mason
gives the following graphic sketch OF an
incident occurring during a Masonic eX-
cursion ON the Mississippi. which cool and
ciivalrous Knight TemplarShipa alone saved
from proving fatally disastrous;
1t was a magnificent sight to see our
immense bOat, accompanied by the Lady
Cay and the Belle of Alton, their decks
crowded with fair ladies and Knights Tenn
plar. bands of music, distinguished citizens
and invited guests, as they steamed up the
Mississippi. then down to Jefferson bar
racks, where we all went on Sore To spend
: pleasant hour, after which we again went
on board and steamed merrily up the
river
l was standing near the captain. The
commander Of the Tcmplars came and
leaned YEARLY on the capstan. turned to
Reuben Milton and whispered in his ear
these words: That man was born to com
mand." lie had the form of a Hercules,
the head of an Apollo, and the eye of an
eagle, and, as circumstances atterward
demonstrated, the heart OF lion. Al
though not so very large, he appeared
larger than Ire really was; he was full and
athletic and still every proportion was a
symmetry and every movement a grace.
~ me ne WAS SUN IctlLiH8 S4itttlN Ol
the capstan, and while | was yet analyzing
his fine countenance, tie captain OF the
steamer with pale lips and blanched
checks, approached the young Templar
and. in Il low and trembling voice, said:
Great God, sir, We are sinking. We are
snayged, sir, in the bottom, and nothing
can save u.s.
"Iiow long can you keep her atloat:"
carclcssly inquired the young Templar.
"Shc may 60 down in five minutes, she
cam 4 keep ailoat more than fifteen, re-
piled the captain.
Z" Do not make your situation known to
any one except your crew, or we will have
Il panic, and then ali Will be lost Signal
the Lady Gay to lean to; none viii notice
or understand that signal OF distress. Get
your crew and hands ready to move; will
manage the rest
BLOW, Warder, blow" said the Young
Templar, speaking to his ensign, who
stood near him, mt the same time leapinG
upon the capstan.
Every one was startled by shrill blast
from the Narder's trumpet. a hundred
Templars swords leaped from their scab-
bards at the blast. Attention. Sir
Knights" shouted the young commander.
The next ceremony in the programme j
Tor the sir Knights, ladies and gentlemen
on this boat to make a visit to our friends
on board The Lady Gay. As the steamers
are rapidly approaching each other, and
can not be kept but minute or two to-
gether, the movement must be rapid one
+ You viii form in procession at once, and
as the boats come toge her pass over the
gangway under an arch Of steel TO the
lower deck OF the Lady Gay. Forward,
Sir Knights, to the gangway. Music in
/ front. The band will play the Knight
f Templars' Quickstep."
In obedience To- these orders the Knights
formed a double line 20 the gangway, facing
round with swords crossed above the
heads of those forming the procession.
In less than eight minutes the whole
precious cargo of human life had passed
from the Mississippi to the Lady Gay, even
to the cOlOrcd COOK, except the two files OF
Templdrs, when the young commandant
said:
From the rear, right and left, inward
wheel, march," And, filing inward, the
Templars rapidly passed over the gang
way to the Lady Gay, the young com
mander being the last to Leave One min
ute more and the Mississippi steamer sank
to the bottom.