The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1870-11-03
MISCELLANY.
A Thrilling Incident.

"a
Michigan Ferniason gives the follow
ing graphic sketch OF an incident oc-
curing during Masonic excursion on
the Mississippi, which cool and ch'Va'.
rous knight Templarship alone save
from proving fatally disastrous:
1t was a unagnifcen. sight to see our
imfiense boat accompanied b. the Lady
Cav aud the Belle of Alton, their decks
crowded With fair ladies and knights
Templar, bands of music, distinguished
citizens, and invited guests, as they
steamed up the Mississippi, then down
toJefferson Barracks. where we all went
an shore to spend a pleasant hour; alter
which we again went on board, and
steamed merrily up the river.
was standing near the captain.
The commander of the Tcnplars came
and leaned wearily oh the capstan'
turned to Reuben Milton and whisper
ed in his ear these words: That man
was born to command" He had the
form of a Hercules, the head Of all
Apollo, and the eye of an eagle, and, MS
circumstances afterwards demonstrated,
the heart of a lion. Although not 50
very large, he appeared larger than h.
really was; he was iull and athletic, and
still every proportion was a symmetry,
aud every movement grace. q,
Whilst he Vas still leaning silently
on the capstan, and while l was yet
analyzing his iue eountenance, the
captain of the steamer, with pale lips
aud blanched cheeks, approached the
young Teuplar, aud with low tone
and trembling voice said:
Great God! sir, we are sinking.
We are snagged in the b"ttom, sir, and
nothing can save US"
allow long can you keep her afoa,?'
earelcssly inquired the young Tenpl"r,
"She may e down in five minutes;
she caunot keep ahoat more than fl.
teen" replied the captain.
"Do not make your situation known
to any une except your crew. or We will
have a panic, and then al will be lust.
Signal the Lady Gay to lean to; none
will notice or understand the signal Of
distress. Get your crew and hands
ready to move. | will manage the
rest"
elbow, Warder, ?" said the young
Templar, speaking to his ensign. who
stood near him, at the same time leap
ing upon the caps,an. Every one was
started by thrill blast from the War
der's trumpet. A hundred Templars
swnrds leaped from their scabbards at
the blast.
"Atten,icB, Sir Knights shouted
the young Commander. " The next
ccremou, in the programme is for the
Sir Knights, ladies and gentlemen On
this boat 10 make visit 10 our friends
ON board the Lady Gay Asthc strah
ers are rapidly approaching each other.
and cannot be kept but minute or
Two together, the movement must nc u
rapid one. You will form PROCESSION
at once, and, as the boats come together
pass over the gangway under an arch
ofsteel, to the lower deck OF the Lady
Gay. Forward, Sir Knights, to the
gansway. Music in front. The band
will play The knights Templar Quirk>
STEP"
iu obedience to these orders. the
knights formed double line to the
gaugway, facing round, with swords
crossed above the heads Of tnose form
ing the processicn. In less tan e'sh'
minutes the whole pr cious cary" OF
human lie had passed trom the MisSis
sippi to the Lady Gay. even to 'h'
colnred cook, excerpt the two files O.
Templars. when the young commander
ordered g FROM the rear, ri ght aud
left inward wheel. march y and filing
inward, til, f"mplars rapidly iHs>cd
over the ganyHas to the Lady Cav, tl'
young comnandet bling the last T.
leave. One minute mure nd tn" Mis-
sissippi steamer sank t" the bnttnm