The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1871-05-05

| ehO uitu tt liie Wileel. NOW. Slr, Il
continued, .you see how she is. IfyOu
will take charge, I'll go down on the
main deck and get the head yards to
rights; the boatswain is making reg
ular mess of it. And with all the Ice
stuns'ls set and the swinging boom out,
it's an awkward job"
"All right, W. he replied; "Pve
got my eyesight now; I'll look after
her.n
The scene in the cuddy, as l after
ward learned, was terrible one. When
the startling cry was echoed along the
decks and through the cabins, call
hands save ship,n the passengers had,
one and all, expected immediate ship
wreck, and death as a natural conse-
4uence. In these moments of sudden
peril on board ship, and especially II
they occur at night, passengers invari-
ably give way to excess of terror. 1t Is
but natural. The conventionalities OF
life are thrown to the winds-as was
the case in the Bengal. The women
rushed from their beds in their night
dresses; shrieking, sobbing, talking
wildly. They did not dare to go on
deck, but huddled themselves in group
in the cuddy. To add to the confusion,
the lamp had gone out, and they were
in darkness. George Armstrong had
hurried back from the poop at first, in
search of Miss BelIany. Believing that
the ship must inevitably go ashore in
the next few moments, he ignored GER
emony and burst into her cabin. She
had just left her bed. There was 10
light, but instinct told her who was
coming to the rescue.
"Oh George, George! what is the
danger?"
For an answer, George Armstrong
took her to him, and clasped her in his
strong arms. 1t was no time for con-
cealing peril.
"My dearest" he said, ga few mo-
ments may end all. Even as speak
to you the ships bottom is in danger
of being knocked out: i'll which case
we must all perish"
She was dreadfully agitated, And i'm
that moment, each one believing it to
be the last, reticence was thrown away.
With the fear of death before us, we
dare not perish iU lie; and George
Armstrong heard how passionately she
loved him.
And they made a compact, each with
each, that if 10y Gods mercy they
should come unscathed out of this peril,
they would become to one another man
and wife. Her head dropped Oh his
breast and rested there rs she made
the solemn promise.
She let him take his first passionate
kiss. Then telling her to get cloak
on, or something, he left her with the
other ladies i'm the cabin.
| Then he rushed up on deck and found
some of the passengers helping the
crew to brace the mainyard round.
Armstrong fell to with his great strength
| doing more than any two i'm the crowd.
rights. Five o'clock had struck before
We had her snugged down to tOpsails
and jib and the watch sent below.
However, we were saved.
Dodging away to the southwark till
after breakfast, we then stood back for
the island, running close in, and tax
ing good stare at it. The weather
was bright and genial, the sun shune
holly. Although uninhabited, there
was some appearance of wild vegeta-
| ton. Clumps of trees clustered here
and there, green bushes also; in con-
trast with which the shelving, sandy
beach looked quite eDtlcing, as the wa
ter rippled gently upon it-for we were
on the lee side of the island now, and,
of course, in smooth water. There was
some talk of lowering boat and land
ing, but it came to nothing. The cap
tain was more eager to take advantage
of the fine southeast wind blowing, and
make up for the few hours we had late
| ly lost. So we squared away and stood
| to the nOrthward. All sail was quick
iy packed OH the Bengal; and in an
hours time Europa island was out OF
sight astern.
Il have often wished to see the
place." said the captain TO me. 81
have passed it good many times, but
always out of sight. We nearly saw
too much of it now, ELI, Mr.. W
| However, a miss is as good as a mile" "
| From this time we had a constant
succession of fair winds and fine wealth
er, and arrived at Bombay on the lst of
| June. During the remainder of the
passage it was patent to everybody on
board how matters were between Arm
strong and Miss BellaDy. Never a
| thought crossed her of retracting her
| ,
and she looked extremely happy. Near
ly the first to board us off Bombay har-
Dor was Major Bellany; he had come
off in one of the dubashes's boats. The
young lady waited by the poop ladder
| to receive him.
"Well, Charles ~
"My dear Louisa. BIT how you've
grown; and improved, too. BY George,
you put your sisters into the shade"
Il want to introduce gentleman to
YOU" she went on beckoning Arm
strong forward tone of the passengers
and friend of mine, Mr.. Armstrong
George, this is my brother Charley"
Charles Bellany looked blank. There
was no mistake, as he feared, what
| this style of introduction meant. Ere
he had held out his hand with some
hesitation, and the frank, pleasant face
of George Armstrong seemed to compel
| him to that advance, Louisa disappear
ed, saying she had her " things" to look
after.
Major Beilany looked around and
saw me. \ warm grasp of the hand,
and he pulled me aside. Our thoughts
went back TO the old days, and it al
most seemed as though we were lads
together again. We were at the same
school, though he was few years older
than L.
81 say, Harry, what is the meaning
of all this? Louisa speaks to that man
as George and she co0lly introduces
me to him as my brother Charley y
Well, l see you guess" was my
hurried answer, for 1 had barely time
to stay q moment with him. az think
it is a case, Charles. j warned Arm
strong against i; ; I said word or two
of warning to Louisa but love and cir
cumstances have been to strong for pru-
dence."
NV companion drew i'm his lips.
What is he? Poor, of course ~
"Has next to nothing, besides his
pay; he's lieutenant in the engineers.
But, look here, Bellany-he is a gentle
man i'm the pest sense of the word; and
a downright good fellow; safe to get on.
If Louisa were my sister, I'd give her
to him with pleasure tomorrow"
"But -"
81 can't stay; we are about to bring
up, and there's the pilot calling out for
the chief officer. I'll come to you, old
friend, as soon as can get ashore"
1t came to pass, and very shortly, for
Major Bellany did rot see his way
clear to hold out against Louisa's will.
And he had grown to like Armstrong.
I was at the wedding; and we had a
jolly spree.
The following formed part of Mrs.
George Armstrong's first letter home
after the ceremony:
PoONAH, July q.
"MY DEAREST MAMMA: We have