Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-10-10

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further progress here presented ITSELF
The launch was lying between The ship
and shore, and forward OF the stern line,
which was drawn taut. at point just
above the water line, and all our attempts
to get the unwiGldy launch under it were
vain. Here, again, the authority OF the
excited captain solved the problem; he
discovered our dilemma, and shouted, a,
The top of his voice: "Cut the line and
pull away" An aX was soon found. and
the immense hawser Topped off; and we
soon found ourselves drifting toward the
/ gulf OF Mexico. The crew being unused
10 pulling an oar in concert. were unable
/ TO hold her stationary on tho river. the
curren, being very strong. We managed,
however, 10 bring her to a stand-slill at u
point nesIly opposite to Fort Pickering.
! O,dering the men to hold her stationary,
bow up stream, took my station forward
SO as 10 be able TO assist any who night
come in contact with rs; aud the reader
may Judge something Of the number OF
persons in the water from the fact that
thirty five were taken out by US in Two
hours. And right here begins the coiuci-
dence which | started out 10 relate. 1t
was now broad daylight; We had been
twice ashore with cargoes OF living
freight. both TO Tighten our load and 10
give those that were rescued chance TO
warm themselves by the large fires that
had been built all along the shore. Upon
resuming our station the third time, near
the middle of The stream. saw floating
toward us what was evidently the head
OF lady. Just above the water; all the
support she had Was the side casing 10
s,aicroom door. As she camo up to the
box OF the boat. | seized her and drew
her aboard; she murmured faint "My
God. thank you I" and Immediately be-
came iuseusible. She was so henumbed
wiki cold that her form was perfectly
rigid; the sailors Immediately prollried
round tickets aad overshirts, in which
wrapped her. until we could pail ashore
and deliver her into the hands of the Sis
tors OF Charity. Soon after we were
towed by q gunboa, TO our own ship. and
| heard nothing more OF the lady unit!
afternoon. when | received word by Il
messenger boy that lady wished TO see
me at The Oserton hospital. repaired
lhither Immediately. and found the wo-
man we had rescued lying on cot, in i
very feeble condition, but tenderly cared
tor. sac poured out her thanks for her
deliyrrance. bat mourued deeply Tor her
husband and little girl, with whom she
was on her way up the river. They
were from Texas on their way North
sac said her husband had -four thousand
dollars in gold concealed about his per
son. and never could have KEEP. ailoa, any
length OF time. Her little girl she had
not seen since going 10 bed in her state
room. When she was awakened by the
,xo' 'osion she found herself alone in her
room. and rushed out into the cabin,
where the utmost confusion prevailed -
The fire was already sweeping ait, and
driving hundreds into the river aud her
only escape from q lingering ceath by
fire vas TO Jump into the rlTer, already a
surgiug mass OF downing horses, mules,
men, women and children. What leap
for II fragile woman but desperate as 1t
was she must make il. Thrice she had
secured partial support. 10 the shape OF
door or d bale oil goods, but was each
time rudely thrust aside by strong men,
| frantic with .erfor. Al last she secured
the little bit ol board. which was her
only support until taken out OF the water
some three hours aiterSard. Col only
knows what that poor woman suffered in
those hours of terrible agony. Berelt oi
husband, Child, fortune, everything gone,
and nothing but frail piece oil board be-
tween her and death. The scene in the
hospital was hear,-rending. A large por-
ton OF those rescued were so badly
scalded, or otherwise Injured. that they
were in extreme agony. aud aiterward
died. Out of twenty-five hundred souls
on board there were but about three hun
dred saved alive. | called upon The lady
two or three times during the succeeding
week, each time finding her little
stronger. but much depressed in spirit
from the dark prospects for her future.
Ten days after the calamity | was
standing near the steamboat landing
watching a tinclad as it rounded 10 and
made fast TO a wharf bost. AS soon as
the gansplank was thrown out man
sprung ashore with little girl IN his
arms. lie approached the spot where
stood, and, Judging from my uniform
that belonged 10 The navy, addressed
ne, ipquiring ii | knew where The SUI
vjyors OF the Sultana calamity were.
1 told him that did. upon which be
asked mo. with trembling lips, II there
were any ladies saved. told him there
were. and. suspecIing his identity, asked
him il his name was no, Eanis.
/ "My God yes" said he grssping my