Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1870-11-17
A Thrilling Incident.

A clever and genial writer in the Mich
iyan Frecmason gives the following graph
ic sketch of an incident occurring during
a Masonic excursion on the Mississippi,
which cool and chivalrous Knight Templar-
ship alone saved from proving fatally DIS
astrous:
1t was magnificent signt to see our I'M
mense boat accompanied by the Lady Gay
and the Belle of Alton. Their decks
crowded with fair ladies and Knights Tenn
plar, bands ofmusic. distinguished citizens,
and invited guests, as they steamed up the
Mississippi, then down to Jefferson Bar
ricks, where We all vent on shore tospend
pleasant hour; after which We again
went on board, and steamed merrily up
the river.
was standing near the captain. The
commander of the Templars came and
leaned wearily on the capstan. turned
to Reuben Milton and wispered in his ear
these words That man was born to COM
mand." He had the form of Hercules,
the head of an Apollo, and the eye of an
eagle, and, as circumstances afterwards de-
monstrated. the heart of lion. Although
not so very large, he appeared larger than
he really was: he was full and atheietic.
and still every proportion was symemetry
and everv movement grace.
Whilst he was still leaning silently on
the capstan, and while [ was yet annalyz-
ing his fine countenance, the captain of the
steamer with pale lips and blanced cheeks
approached the young Templar and with n
low tone and trembling voice said:
"Great God sir. we are sinking. We
are snagged in the bottom, sir, and moth
ing can save us.
..How long can you keep her afoatT'
carelessly inquired the young Tempiar.
''Shc may go down in five minutes she
cannot keep afoat more than fifteen, re-
piled the captain. ~.
"Do not make your situation known to
any one except your crew. or we will have
panic. then all will be lost. Signal the
Lady Gay to lean to; 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
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 Templar's swords leaped from
their scabbards at the blast.
Attention. Sir Knights" shouted the
Young commander. The next ceremony
: Il -, f,rf fhn SIr n ulOlltS
ladies and gentleman on this boat to Lady
Gay. AS the steamers are rapidly ap-
preaching each other. and cannot be kept
but minute or two together, the move
ment must be rapid one. You will form
procession at once, and, as the boats come
together, Ias over the gangway under an
arch of steel, to the lower deck CT the La
DIV Gay. Forward Sir Knights, to the
gancwav. Music in front. The band
will play. The Knights Templar Quick
step"
In obediancc to the orders, the knights
formed n double line to the ganSway,
fncing round, with sword crossed above
the heads of those forming the procession.
In less than eight minutes the whole pre-
cious 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 commander Or
dered '.From the rear right and left in
ward wheel, march - and filing inward,
the Templars rapidly passed over the
gangway 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.