Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1870-11-05
A Thrilling story.

A clever and genial writer in the
Michigan Frcomason gives the fol.
lowing graphic sketch of an incl
dent occurring during n Masonic
excursion on the Mississippi, which
cool and chvalrous Knight Tenn
plarship alone saved from proving
fatally disastrous.
1t was n magnificent sight to see
our immense boat, accompanied by
tho Lady Gay and the Belle of AL
ton, their decks crowned with fair
ladies and Knights Templars, bands
of music, distinguished citizens and
invited guests, rs they steamed up
the Mississippi, then down to Joffer-
son Barracks, where we again went
on shore TO spend pleasant hour,
after which we again went on board
and steamed merriIy up the river.
! was standing near the captain.
The commander Of the Templars
came and leaned YEARLY on the
capstan. | turned to Reuben Mil
ton, and whispered in his ear these
words "That man was born to
command" He had the form of Il
Hercules, tho head of an Apollo,
and the eye of an eagle, and as cir
cumstances afterwards demonstra-
ted, the heart of lion. Although
not so very large, he appeared lar
ger than he really was he was full
and athletic, ard still every proper
ton was symmetry, and every
movement grace.
While he was still leaning silent.
ly on the capstan, and while YVES
yet analysing his fine countenance,
the captain of the steamer, with pale
lips and blanched checks, approach
ed the young Templar, and in q low
tone and trembling voice, said
" Great God sir, we are sinking.
We are snagged, sir, in the bottom,
and nothing can save u.s."
GLOW long can you keep her
afoat ?" carelcssly inquired the
young Iempiuf.
"She may go down in five min
utes; she cannot keep afoat more
than fifteen," replied the captain.
"Do not make your situation
known to any one except our crew,
or we will have Il panic, and then
all will be lost. Signal the Lady
Gay to lean 20: none will notice or
understand the signal of distress.
Get your crew and hands ready to
move, l will manage the rest"
Blow, Warder, blow," said the
young TempIar, speaking to his en-
sign, who stood near him., at the
same time leaping upon the capstan.
Every one was startled by a shrill
blast from the Wardcr's trumpet.
A hundred Templar's swords leaped
from their scabbards at the blast.
Attention, Sir Knights !" shout
ed the commander. "The next
ceremony in the programme is for
the Sir Knights, ladies and gentle
men on this boat to make a visit to
our friends on board the Lady Gay.
AS the steamers are rapidly ap-
preaching each other, and cannCi
be kept but q minute or two toge-
ther, the movement must be a rapid
one. You will form procession al
once, as the boats come together
pass over the gangway under an
arch of steel, TO the lower deck oI
the Lady Gay. Forward. Sir Knights
TO the gangway. Music in front
The band will play The knight.
Templar Quickstep."
] In obedience 20 thcse orders, tht
Knights formed a double line TO the
gaDgway, facing round, with swordi
I crossed above the heads of th0si
forming the procession. Mess thai
eight mi1utes the whole preciOu
cargo Of human life had passed from
the Mississippi to the Lady Gay
sFen 70 the cOiored cook, except thi
two flies Of Templzrs, when th
Young commander ordered. From
The rear, aad left inward wheel
march aBd fling inward, Tie Ten