Year: 1862

OF lmmlnenC peril. 'Can nOtnlnS Ue uone
to save herw said the weeping father. The
sister had been removed in an almost un-
conscious state from the cabin, and was in
the care of some ladies'. The physician re-
piled that there was but one hope to rest
upon-an operation, and that skillfully and
speedily performed.


''What operation % asked the father,
holding her head in his hands, and waiting
a reply in breathless anxiety.


''Trepanning,'' quietly responded the
and briefly explaining his mean
ing.


A painful silence of some minutes now
ensued.


'.When this dreadful operation is per-
formed, what is the chance of recovery ?"
gasped the father, seizing the physician by
the arm.


''That must depend upon circumstances"
was the reply.


''Save her life Ellen, my child-my
child Poor girl, tits an awful thing to
think Of If, as you say, it must be done,
for heavens sake lose no time"


II have no instrument fit for the purpose,
nor would I undertake it if l had. Itneeds
a more experienced hand than mine. 1
never saw it done. From books only know
its nature and manner of proceeding
The captain remarked that he bad case
of instruments on board the boat; of their
purpose he was ignorant The young man
who had entered with the physician had
been carefully examining the injury, and
requested the captain to procure the instru-
ments, who left the cabin for that purpose
He then addressed the physician:


"Sir, should the trepan be at hand, would
it not be we'll to attempt the operation In
her present state she must die, unless some
aid be promptly given. will assist you"


care you physician 2"


"No; [ am student of medicine only.
have seen the trepan twice used with com
plete success. am aware tbs dangerous
operation, though easily performed"


II shall not undertake it. l could not
summon resolution. 1 do not profess sur
gerry"


1--WE are many miles from land, sir, l
never performed this or any other operation
upon the human body Relying upon my
knowledge of anatomy-the exigency of the
case-the favorable position of the wound,
would not shrink in any attempt to save


The captain returned. The case was
opened and proved, upon examination, to
be large case of amputating instruments,
and, fortunately the trepan and its neces
sary apparatus accompanying them. The
father revived from apparent stupor. The
sight of the knives made him shudder


"Well," said he, in whisper, "what is
to be done p


The young man and the physician we're
conversing inaadably together fer moment.


t'No sir replied the physician mo
thing in the world would induce me to at
tempt it. Having no confidence in my own
power, you know, sir. it is not likely that |
should succeed"


IF you were not on the boat, under the
circumstances, and at the request of those
interested, would attempt it. But it is
understood that you refuse, and if her father
will trust me, | will save her, if | can
Captain, you know me. l have nought but
good motives"


The father had listened The calm, cool
manner of the young student, weighed much
in his favor. After look at his child, who
still seemed in the sleep of death, the low,
peculiar breathing sound attendant upon
such cases, being the only sign Of life and
sure symptom Of the nature of the hurt, he
took the young mans hand and said


s'Do what you think BEST Save her, if
you can. God help you!" He kissed her
and walked away. checking his emotion, re-
peating the prayer for her safety.


A request was made for those whose aid
was not necessary, to retire from the cabin,
which was, of course complied with. The
physician, to his credit be it spoken. re-
mained to assist in an act which he dared
not be principal in. The instruments hav-
ing been carefully arranged, and everything
that prudence could suggest attended to, the
young lady was placed upon table to un-
dergo the fearful operation. There was to
her no dread She could feel no pain. Sen
sation, to her, was lost faculty But the
loss Of self-possession in the OPERATOR
lack of knowledge and judgment in criti-
cal moment, might make Of the instrument
used to save life weapon of sure destruc-
ton. The physician secured her head in a
position the most convenient, the student
removed from the injured spot the golden
curls, as he took the calpel in his hand to
make the necessary incision through the in
teguments Twas evident success would
attend his efforts. His hand trembled not.
In moment part of the scalp was dissected
up-the bone was visible-the saw about to
do its work Such silence-a frightful
wound appeared, and though inflicted upon
one who felt not the knife, still it called
forth terrible feeling of suspense. But a
short time had been occupied by the young
operator, when, removing a piece of the skull
of circular form, the brain, with its thou
sand vessels distended with blood, showed
plainly through its covering membrane.


Her father walked about the cabin. not
daring to look in the direction in which his
child was lying. After various attempts to
speak, he turned, saw the blood, necessari-
ly lost, trickling down her livid cheeks, and
covering in its course. the loose locks that
had been spared