Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-12-01

A WRITER in the Michigan Free Mason
gives the following graphic sketch 81 an
incident occurring during a Masonic ex
cursion on the Mississippi, which coolanc
chivalrous Knight Templarshipalone sfwet
from proving fatally disastrous:
1t was magnificent sight to see ou
immense boat, accompanied by the Lad,
Gay and the Belle Of Alton, their deck
crowded with fair ladies and knights TEN
plar, bands of music, distinguished citizens
and invited guests, as they steamed up thu
Mississippi, then down to Jefferson bar
racks, where we all went on shore to spend
pleasant hour, after which we again wen
on board and steamed merrily up thu
river.
/ was standing near the captain. The
commander of the Templars came and
leaned YEARLY on the capstan. turned tO
Reuben Milton and whispered in his cal
these words: That man was born to conn
mand" He had the form of a Hercules
the head of an Apollo, and the eye of an
eagle, and, as circumstances aiterward
demonstrated, the heart OF lion. At
though not SO very large he appeared
larger than he really was; he was full and
athletic, and still every proportion was a
symmetry and every movement a grace.
While he was still leaning silently on
the capstan, and while was yet Analysing
his fine countenance, the captain of the
steamer, with pale lips and blanched
cheeks, approached the young Templar,
and, in low and trembling voice, said
Great God sir, we are sinking. We are
snagged, sir, in the bottom, and nothing
can save us y
'IIow long can you keep her afloat "
carelessly inquired the young Templar.
"Shc may 20 down in five minutes, she
cannot keep afloat more than fifteen re-
piled the captain.
Do not make your situation known to
any one except your crew, or we will have
panic, and then all will be lost. Signal
the Lady Gay to lean to; none will 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, at the same time leaping
upon the capstan.
Every one was startled by shrill blast
from the Warder'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 is
for the Sir Knights, ladies and gentlemen
on this boat to make 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 will form in procession at once, and
as the boats come together 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
Templars' Quickstep."
In obedience to these orders the Knights
formed a double line to 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 colored cook, except the two files OF
Templars, when the young commandani
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.