The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1870-12-06


An incIacnt occurring during Mason.
&c Excursion on thc Mississippi. which
eool aa,d eli,alrous Knight Templarship
alone saved tr,m proving fatal, disss.
rous. Ouc u tb6 cxcufslouisls tells the
,tors thus
Il was magnificent sight 90 see our
immense boa, accompanied by the Lady
"a, and The Belle OF Alton, their decks
vwdcd with fair ladies aud knight
emplafs bands Of music, distinguished
iireus aud invited guests, as they steam
up the Mississippi, then down to Jcf
rs0n barracks, who're We all went on
,ure TO spend pleasant hour, aher
,hich we again went on board and steam.
4 mcuily up the river,
| vas standing near the captain, The
commander Of The Templars came aud
eaued wearily on tho capsian. turned
o Reuben Milton aud whispered ia his
ar these words "Ti,at mas was born
command He hfd tile form Of a
hercules. the head Of an Apollo aud the
80 Of an eagle, aud as the circumstances
,lterwards demonstrated, the heart Of a
iuu Although not 50 verl large, be APP
,learcd larger thau be really was he was
all and athletic, and slill every propor-
lou was symmetry aud every move
ucnt grace,
While be was siiu leaning silently on
lac capstau, aud while was yet analyz-
.ug his fine ooumeuaucc, the Ga tain Of
he steamer, with pale lips aud blanched
'heeks, approached the Young Tcmplar,
uid IN a low, trembling yoice, said
Great God, sir, we are sinking We
re snagged, sir, in the bottom, aud moth.
ng can save lie
"Ilow long eau you keep her anoat|
arclcssly inquired'the Young Temphr.
'shc may 60 down IN live minutes;
she cannot keep unoal more than lifccn,i
eplied the captain,
"DO not mike your situation known
o ony one except your crew, or we viii
nye panic, aud then all will oe lost.--
ignal the Lady Gay TO lty to; none viii
,otice or understand the signal Of dis.
rcss. Get your crew and hands ready to
move; will manage the rest
blow, warder, blow r said The young
remplar, speaking TO his ensign, who
TODD near him. at the same time leaping
lpun the capstan.
Every one was startled by shrill blast
Ifom the wartlcr's trumpet. a hundred
femplar's swords leapyd from their scab'
mrds ut the blast
"Aitentionl Sir Knights, shouted
he young commander. "Thc noxt cefe-
,nony ia the programme Is for tho Sir
Knghts. ladies aud gentleman on this
Joat to make visit TO our friends on the
Lady Gay. As the steamers are rapidly
approaching each other, aud cannot be
kept but minute or two together this
movement must be rapid one. You
will form In procession at once, aud as
The boats come together pass over the
gapgway and under mn arch Of steel TO
llle lower deck OF the Lady Gay. For.
ward, Sir Knights, to the gangway. Mu'
-ic in front. The band will play "fhc
knight Templars Quickstep.'
obedience TO these orders the knights
formed double line to the gangway,
acing round, with swords crossed above
he heads Of those forming the process
don.
IN less than eight minutes the whole
rccious cargo Of human life had passed
rom the Mississippi to the Lady Gay,
wen to the colorcl cook, except the two
lies Of Tenplars, when the Young com
nander said
From the rear right and left, inward
Wheel March,
And, fling inward, the Tcmplars rapid
y passed over the gangway TO the Lady
lay, the young commander being the
asst to leave One minute more and the
Mississippi steamer sank TO the bottom.