 Section 10 of Thrilling Adventures by Land and Sea by James O. Brayman This LiberVox recording is in the public domain. Section 10 The dying volunteer, an incident of Molino del Rey. The sun had risen in all his glorious majesty and hung over the eastern horizon like a wall of glowing fire, and his bright rays danced merrily along the lake of Ticino. Over the glittering domes of Mexico passed the frowning battlements of Chapultepec and lit in all their glorious effulgence upon the bloodstained field of Molino del Rey. The contest was over. The sound of battle had died away, save an occasional shot from the distant artillery of the castle or the fire of some strolling rifleman. I was standing beside the battered remains of the mill door above which the first footing had been gained upon the well contested wall and gazing over the plain, now saturated with the blood of my fellow soldiers, which that morning waved green with flowing grass when I heard a low and feeble wail in the ditch beside me. I turned it towards the spot and beheld with his right leg shattered by a cannonball, a voltigriere lying amid the mangled. He had been passed by in the haste of gathering up the wounded under the fire from the castle and the rays of the burning sun beat down with terrible fervor upon the wounded limb, causing heavy groans to issue from his spablet lips and his marble countenance to writhe with pain. Water! For God's sake, a drink of water! He faintly articulated as I bent over him. Fortunately I had procured a canteen of water and placing it to his lips. He took a long, deep draft and then sunk back exhausted upon the ground. The sun, he murmured, is killing me by its rays. Can not you carry me into the shade? I can procure assistance and have you taken to the hospital. No, do not, my sands of life, or most out, and our hence I shall be a dead man. Carry me into the shade of the mill, and then, if you have time to spare, listen to my dying words, and if you are fortunate enough to return to the United States, bear me back a message to my home and to another. He paused and motioned me to carry him into the shade. I did so, and the cold wind which swept along the spot appeared to revive him, and he continued, You, sir, are a total stranger to me, and from Your uniform belong to another core, and yet I must confide this the great secret of all my recent actions and the cause of my being here to You. Would to God that I had reflected upon the fatal steps I had taken, and I should now have been at my home enjoying the society of kind friends instead of dying upon the gory field and in a foreign land. My father was a wealthy man in the town of Gee in the state of Virginia and moved in the best society of the place. I had received an excellent education, had studied law, and was admitted in the twenty-fourth year of my age to practice at the bar. I had early seen and admired a young lady of the place, a daughter of an intimate friend of father's, and fortunately the feeling was reciprocated and we were engaged to be married. The war in Mexico had been in existence some twelve months and many flocked to the standard of their country. It so happened that about this time a recruiting office had been opened in the town and several of my young friends had enlisted to go and try their fortunes on the plains of Mexico. One night there was a grand party at the place in honor of those who were about to depart for the seat of war and both myself and Evelyn were at the hall. Among those who were assembled at that evening was Augustus P. a talented young man, an accomplished scholar, gay and lively in his manners, free and cheerful in his disposition, and a universal favorite with the fair sex. He had been for some time paying his addresses to Evelyn as I deemed and rather two-pointed a manner. As the party had assembled in the long hall and the dance was about to commence, I asked for her hand for the first set. It is engaged, she replied, as I thought rather tartly. To whom, if I may be so bold as to inquire, I demanded. To Augustus P. was the immediate reply. I smothered my rising indignation the best I could and proudly returned the smile of malignant joy my rival gave me. Perhaps I can't engage it for a second set, I calmly replied. Mr. P. has engaged it for the entire evening, she pettishly replied, and rising and taking his hand they took their station upon the floor. I remained thunderstruck and rooted to the spot until I saw the eyes of my hated rival fixed upon me and, throwing off the spell that bound me, I assumed a proud, cold look. As I swept by the dancers, Evelyn paused for a moment, when just beside me, and bending close to her ear, I whispered, Evelyn, farewell forever. She turned a slightly pale and asked, When, tonight, I joined the army for Mexico, I firmly replied. A deep flush passed hotly across her brow, and then, waving her hand gracefully, she replied, Go! and glided through the mazes of the dance. I rushed from the spot and never paused until I had entered the recruiting office and offered myself a candidate for the army. Are you a good, moral man of well-regulated habits? asked the sergeant. Can give a hundred certificates if necessary? I hastily replied. I rather think you'll do, said the officer with a smile, and he enrolled me as a soldier. When do you wish to leave? Now, tonight, tomorrow, any time, I eagerly answered. Promptness is a good quality. You will make a good soldier. Get ready to start at eight o'clock in the morning for Newport, Kentucky. I will be ready, and rushing from the room I hastened home, packed up my things, and threw myself down on the bed to sleep. But it was impossible. Heavy thoughts were crowding my mind with lightning speed, and I resolved to depart the next day without bidding adieu to father or mother, sister or brother. But feeling a deep respect which I held for my father's advice would prevail and I should be induced to remain at home. I made the resolve and carried it out. The next morning I was at the office by seven o'clock, was furnished with a suit of regimentals, and departed for the railroad depot to start for wheeling. As I hurried along, who should turn the corner of the street but Evelyn, and we met for the last time on earth. I informed her of my intentions, and without manifesting any disposition of regret at my departure, she gaily said, Ah, good-bye, and may good luck attend you. And she glided away. A new fuel was added to my desire to hasten from such scenes, and I had soon left the town for the Ohio. I will not weary you with further details, as my breath is failing fast. Suffice it to say I arrived in Mexico, and here I am, perishing by inches upon the battlefield. Here he continued is a ring, taking one from his finger, and presenting it to me, which was given me by Evelyn as a bond of our marriage contract. I have worn it ever since, and as I told her then, it shall leave me but with my death. Take it to her, when you get back, and if she be not married, give it to her, and tell her he who sent it never forgot her for a single moment, even in his dying hour, and is lying beneath the clods of foreign soil. This Bible give back to my father, and tell him I have studied its precepts, to my mother and sisters say that I have sent them a sons and brothers dying love. Tell my brothers to beware of human strife. He faltered in his speech, and then murmuring, I am going, pressed my hand feebly, and expired. I dug a lone grave upon the field, and laid him to sleep his last sleep, until that day when all shall be summoned to a final account. One year rolled on and how checkered by passing events. Chipultepec had fallen, the city of Mexico was taken, and peace, thrice glorious peace, had waved her pinions over the land of war. The volunteers were joyfully hastening to their homes, and among the rest I once more planned a free man again in heart and soul. A spell of sickness at first confined me several weeks, but at length I rose, whirried and feeble from my bed, and my physicians recommended a change of air. I traveled into Virginia, and one evening entered the town of G. I inquired for the family of my friend, and was directed to a fine-looking building upon the principal street. I anxiously waited an answer. At length the door opened and an old gray-headed man stood before me, the lines of his face marked by care, and his whole appearance betokened one who had a deep grief at heart. Mr. Blank, I presume, said I, bowing. The same, sir, won't you walk in? replied the old man politely. I entered the house and was soon seated in the parlor I have something of importance for your private ear, said I hastily. He turned towards me and, taking the Bible from my pocket, I held it up to view. Quicker than thought, the aged father sprang forward, caught the book in his hand and murmured, as the tears fell slowly over his aged cheeks, my son, my son, you bring news of him. I do, but it is very bad. I answered, my voice trembling as I spoke, and I retold to him the scenes upon the battlefield. When I had finished, the old man clasped his hands in agony and, raising his eyes toward the ceiling, exclaimed in deep and fervent tones, God's will be done. At this moment a young lady of pale, careworn countenance entered the parlor and, rising, I said, Miss Evelyn, I believe? The same, she calmly replied, as her eyes glanced at the ring which I silently presented, she stretched forth her hand, grasped it convulsively, then fell suddenly forward upon the carpet, the blood oozing rapidly from her mouth. The terrible ordeal had broken a blood vessel and her spirit passed unchecked to another world. A plain marble slab in the graveyard of the town of D, upon which is engraved the lone word Evelyn, marks the last resting place of the betrothed of the dying volunteer. Escape from a Mexican quicksand by Captain Maine Reed. A few days afterward another adventure befell me and I began to think I was destined to become a hero among the mountain men. A small party of the traders, myself among the number, had pushed forward ahead of the caravan. Our object was to arrive at Santa Fe a day or two before the wagons in order to have everything arranged with the governor for their entrance into the capital. We took the route by the Simeron. Our road for a hundred miles or so lay through a barren desert without game and almost without water. The buffalo had all disappeared and deer were equally scarce. We had to content ourselves on the dried meat which we had brought from the settlements. We were in the deserts of the Artemisia. Now and then we could see stray antelope bounding away before us by keeping far out of range. They too seemed to be unusually shy. On the third day after leaving the caravan as we were riding near the Simeron I thought I observed a pronged head disappearing behind a swell in the prairie. My companions were skeptical and none of them would go with me, so wheeling out of trail I started alone. One of them, for goat was behind, kept charge of my dog as I did not choose to take him with me lest he might alarm the antelopes. My horse was fresh and willing and whether successful or not I knew I could easily overtake the party by camping time. I struck directly toward the spot where I had seen the object. It appeared to be only half a mile or so from the trail. It proved more distant, a common illusion in the crystal atmosphere of these upland regions. A curiously formed ridge traversed the plain from east to west. A thicket of cactus covered part of its summit. Toward the thicket I directed myself. I dismounted at the bottom of the slope and leading my horse silently up among the cactus plants tied him to one of their branches. I then cautiously crept through the thorny leaves toward the point where I fancied I had seen the game. To my joy not one antelope but a brace of those beautiful animals was quietly grazing beyond. But alas too far off for the carry of my rifle. They were fully 300 yards distant upon a smooth grassy slope. There was not even a sage brush to cover me. Should I attempt to approach them? What was to be done? I lay for several minutes thinking over the different tricks known in huntercraft for taking the antelope. Should I imitate their call? Should I hoist my handkerchief and try to lure them up? I saw that they were too shy for at short intervals they threw up their graceful heads and looked inquiringly around them. I remembered the red blanket on my saddle. I could display this upon the cactus bushes. Perhaps it would attract them. I had no alternative and it was turning to go back for the blanket. When all at once my eye rested upon a clay colored line running across the prairie along where the animals were feeding. It was a break in the plain, a buffalo road, or the channel of an arroyo, in either case the very cover I wanted where the animals were not 100 yards from it and were getting still nearer to it as they fed. Creeping back out of the thicket I ran along the side of the slope toward a point where I had noticed that the ridge was depressed to the prairie level. Here to my surprise I found myself in the banks of a broader arroyo whose water, clear and shallow, ran slowly over a bed of sand and gypsum. The banks were low, not over three feet above the surface of the water except where the ridge impinged upon the stream. Here there was a high bluff and hurrying around its base I entered the channel and commenced waiting upward. As I had anticipated I soon came to a bend where the stream, after running parallel to the ridge, swept around and cannoned through it. At this place I stopped and looked cautiously over the bank. The antelopes had approached within less than rifle range of the arroyo, but they were yet far above my position. They were still quietly feeding and unconscious of danger. I again bent down and waited on. It was a difficult task proceeding in this way, the bed of the creek soft and yielding, and I was compelled to tread slowly and silently lest I should alarm the game. But I was cheered in my exertions by the prospect of fresh venison for my supper. After a weary drag of several hundred yards I came opposite to a small clump of wormwood bushes growing out of the bank. I may be high enough, though I, these will serve for cover. I raised my body gradually until I could see through the leaves. I was in the right spot. I brought my rifle to a level, sighted for the heart of the buck, and fired. The animal leaped from the ground and fell back lifeless. I was about to rush forward and secure my prize when I observed the doe instead of running off as I expected, go up to her fallen partner and press her tapering nose to his body. She was not more than twenty yards from me and I could plainly see that her look was one of inquiry and bewilderment. All at once she seemed to comprehend the fatal truth and throwing back her head commenced uttering the most piteous cries at the same time running in circles around the body. I stood wavering between two mines. My first impulse had been to reload and kill the doe, but her plaintive voice entered my heart disarming me of all hostile intentions. Had I dreamed of witnessing this painful spectacle I should not have left the trail, but the mischief was now done. I have worse than killed her, thought I. It will be better to dispatch her at once. Actuated by these principles of common, but to her fatal humanity, I rested the butt of my rifle and reloaded. With a faltering hand I again leveled the piece and fired. My nerves were steady enough to do the work when the smoke floated aside I could see the little creature bleeding upon the grass, her head resting upon the body of her murdered mate. I shouldered my rifle and was about to move forward when, to my astonishment, I found that I was caught by the feet. I was held firmly as if my legs had been held in a vice. I made an effort to extricate myself, another more violent and equally unsuccessful, and with a third I lost my balance and fell back upon the water. Half suffocated I regained my upright position, but only to find that I was held as fast as ever. Again I struggled to free my limbs. I could neither move them backward nor forward to the right nor the left and I became sensible that I was gradually going down. Then the fearful truth flashed upon me. I was sinking into a quick sand. A feeling of horror came over me. I renewed my efforts with the energy of desperation. I leaned to one side, then to the other, almost wrenching my knees from their sockets. My feet remained as fast as ever. I could not move them an inch. The soft clingy sand already overtopped my horse-skin boots, wedging them around my ankles so that I was unable to draw them and I could feel that I was still sinking slowly but surely as though some subterraneous monster was leisurely dragging me down. This very thought caused me a fresh thrill of horror and I called aloud for help. To whom? There was no one within miles of me, no living thing. Yes, the knee of my horse answered me from the hill, mocking me in my despair. I bent forward as well as my constrained position would permit and with frenzied fingers commenced tearing up the sand. I could barely reach the surface and the little hollow I was able to make filled up almost as soon as it had been formed. A thought occurred to me. My rifle might support me, placed horizontally. I looked for it. It was not to be seen. It had sunk beneath the sand. Could I throw my body flat and prevent myself from sinking deeper? No. The water was two feet in depth. I should drown at once. This last hope left me as soon as formed. I could think of no plan to save myself. I could make no further effort. A strange stupor seized upon me. My very thoughts became paralyzed. I knew that I was going mad for a moment I was mad. After an interval my senses returned. I made an effort to rouse my mind from its paralysis in order that I might meet death, which I now believe to be certain, as a man should. I stood erect. My eyes had sunk to the prairie level and rested upon the still-bleeding victims of my cruelty. My heart smoked me at the sight. Was I suffering a retribution of God? With humbled and penitent thoughts I turned my face to heaven almost dreading that some sign of omnipotent anger would scowl upon me from above. But no, the sun was shining as bright as ever, and the blue canopy of the world was without a cloud. I gazed upward with earnestness known only to the hearts of men in positions of peril, like mine. As I continued to look up an object attracted my attention. Against the sky I distinguished the outlines of a large bird. I knew it to be the obscene bird of the plains, the buzzered vulture. Whence had it come? Who knows? Far beyond the reach of human eye it had seen or scented the slaughtered antelopes, and on broad silent wing was now descending to the feast of death. Presently another and another, and many others, mottled the blue field of the heavens, curving and wheeling silently earthward. Then the foremost sweeped down upon the bank, and after grazing around for a moment flapped off toward its prey. In a few seconds the prairie was black with filthy birds who clambered over the dead antelopes and beat their wings against each other, while they tore out the eyes of the quarry with their fetted beaks. And now came gaunt wolves sneaking and hungry, stealing out of the cactus thicket and loping coward-like over the green swells of the prairie. These, after a battle, drove away the vultures and tore up the prey all the while growling and snapping bingefully at each other. Thank heaven I shall at least be saved from this. I was soon relieved from the sight. My eyes had sunk below the level of the bank. I had looked my last on the fair green earth. I could now see only the clay-e-wall that contained the river and the water that ran unheating past me. Once more I fixed my gaze upon the sky and, with prayerful heart, endeavored to resign myself to my fate. In spite of my endeavors to be calm, the memories of earthly pleasures and friends and home came over me, causing me at intervals to break into wild paroxysms and make fresh, though fruitless, struggles. And I was attracted by the neighing of my horse. A thought entered my mind, filling me with fresh hope. Perhaps my horse. I lost not a moment. I raised my voice to its highest pitch and called the animal by name. I knew that he would come at my call. I had tied him but slightly. The cactus limb would snap off. I called again, repeating words that were well known to him. I listened with a bounding heart. For a moment there was silence. Then I heard the quick of his hoof as though the animal was rearing and struggling to free himself. Then I could distinguish the stroke of his heels in a measured and regular gallop. Nearer came the sounds, nearer and clearer, until the gallant brute bounded out on the bank above me. There he halted and, flinging back his tossed mane, uttered a shrill nae. He was bewildered and looked upon every side, snorting wildly. I knew that, having once seen me, he would not stop until he had pressed his nose against my cheek, for this was his usual custom. Holding out my hands, I again uttered the magic words. Now, looking downward, he perceived me and, stretching himself, sprang out into the channel. The next moment I held him by the bridle. There was no time to be lost. I was still going down and my armpits were fast nearing the surface of the quicksand. I caught the lariat and passed it under the saddle girth, pastened it in a tight, firm knot. I then looped the trailing in, making it secure around my body. I had left enough of the rope between the bit-ring and the girths to enable me to check and guide the animal in case the drag upon my body should be too painful. All this while the dumb brute seemed to comprehend what I was about. He knew, too, the nature of the ground on which he stood, for during the operation he kept lifting his feet alternately to prevent himself from sinking. My arrangements were at length completed, and with a feeling of terrible anxiety I gave my horse the signal to move forward. Instead of going off with a start, the intelligent animal stepped away slowly as though he understood my situation. The lariat I felt my body moving, and the next moment experienced a wild delight, a feeling I can only describe as I found myself dragged out of the sand. I sprained to my feet with a shout of joy. I rushed up to my seed and, throwing my arms around his neck, kissed him with as much delight as I would have kissed a beautiful girl. He answered my embrace with a low whimper that told me that I was ready. I looked for my rifle. Fortunately it had not sunk deeply, and I soon found it. My boots were behind me, but I stayed not to look for them, being smitten with a wholesome dread of the place where I had left them. I was not long in retreating from the arroyo and mounting I galloped back to the trail. It was sundown before I reached the camp where I was met by the inquiries of my companions. I wrote all their questions by relating my adventures, and for that night I was again the hero of the campfire. End of Section 10 Section 11 of Thriiling Adventures by Land and Sea by James O. Brayman. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Section 11 Chased by a Rhinoceros. On the 22nd says Mr. Cumming, ordering my men to move on to the mountain in the centre of the plain, I rode forth with rider, and held east through a grove of lofty and widespread mimosas, most of which were more or less damaged by the gigantic strength of a troop of elephants which had passed there about twelve months before. Having proceeded about two miles with large herds of game on every side, I observed a crusty-looking old bull Borrelay, or there's one hundred yards in advance. He had not observed us, and soon after he walked slowly toward us and stood broadside too, eating some weight-a-bit thorns within fifty yards of me. I fired from my saddle and sent a bullet in behind his shoulder, upon which he rushed forward about one hundred yards in tremendous consternation, blowing like a grampus, and then stood looking about him. Presently I followed him, but found it hard to come up with him. When I overtook him, I saw the blood running freely from his wound. The chase led through a large herd of blue wildebeests, zebras, and spring-box, which gazed at us in utter amazement. At length I fired my second barrel, but my horse was fidgety and I missed. I continued riding alongside of him, expecting in my ignorance that at length he would come to bay, which I never do. When suddenly he fell flat on his broadside on the ground, but recovering his feet resumed his course as if nothing had happened. Becoming at last annoyed at the length of the chase, as I wished to keep my horses fresh for the elephants, and being indifferent whether I got the rhinoceros or not, as I observed that his horn was completely worn down with age and the violence of his running matters to a crisis. So, spurring my horse, I dashed ahead and rode right in his path. Upon this the hideous monster instantly charged me in the most resolute manner, blowing loudly through his nostrils, and although I quickly wheeled about to my left he followed me at such a furious pace for several hundred yards with his horrid horny snout within a few yards of my horse's tail that my little bushman who was looking on in great alarm thought his master's destruction inevitable. It was certainly a very near thing. My horse was extremely afraid and exerted his utmost energies on the occasion. The rhinoceros, however, wheeled about and continued his former course, and I being perfectly satisfied with the interview which I had already enjoyed with him, had no desire to cultivate his acquaintance any further, and accordingly I would go to the camp. Burning of the Erie The steamboat Erie under the command of Captain Titus left the dock at Buffalo on the afternoon of August 9, 1841, laden with merchandise destined for Chicago. As nearly as could be ascertained she had on board about two hundred persons including passengers and crew. The boat had been thoroughly overhauled and recently varnished at the moment of her starting though the wind was blowing fresh everything promised a pleasant and prosperous voyage. Nothing occurred to Martha's prospect till about eight o'clock in the evening when the boat was off Silver Creek about eight miles from the shore and thirty-three miles from the city when a slight explosion was heard and immediately, almost instantaneously, the whole vessel was enveloped in flames. Among the passengers were six painters who were going to Erie to paint the steamboat Madison. They had with them some demi-jons filled with spirits of turpentine and varnish which, unknown to Captain Titus, were placed on the boiler deck directly over the boilers. One of the firemen who was saved says he had occasion to go on deck and seeing the demi-jons remove them. They were replaced but by whom is not known. Their inflammable contents undoubtedly aided the flames in their rapid action. Captain Titus, who was on the upper deck at the time of the explosion, rushed to the ladies' cabin to obtain the life preservers of which there were about one hundred on board. But so violent was the heat, he found it impossible to enter the cabin. He returned to the upper deck on his way giving orders to the engineer to stop the engine, the wind and the headway of the boat increasing the fierceness of the flames and driving them aft. And that in consequence of the flames he could not reach the engines. The steersman was instantly directed to put the helm hard a starboard. She swung slowly around heading to the shore and the boats there were three on board were then ordered to be lowered. Two of the boats were lowered but in consequence of the heavy sea on and the headway of the vessel they both swamped as soon as they touched the water. We will not attempt to describe the awful and unfortunate situation of the passengers. Some were frantic with fear and horror. Others plunged headlong madly into the water. Others again seized upon anything buoyant upon which they could lay hands. The small boat forward had been lowered. It was alongside the wheel with three or four persons in it when the captain jumped in and the boat immediately dropped a stern filled with water. A lady floated by with a life preserver on. She cried for help. There was no safety in the boat. The captain threw her the only oar in the boat. She caught the oar and was saved. It was Mrs. Lind of Milwaukee and she was the only lady who escaped. In this condition the boat a mass of fierce fire and the passengers and crew endeavoring to save themselves by swimming or supporting themselves by whatever they could reach they were found by the steamboat Clinton at about ten o'clock the Clinton had left Buffalo in the morning but in consequence of the wind had put into Dunkirk she lay there till after sunset at which time she ran out and had proceeded as far as Barcelona when just at twilight the fire of the eerie was discovered some twenty miles a stern the Clinton immediately put about and reached the burning wreck it was a fearful sight all the upper works of the eerie had been burned away the engine was standing but the hull was a mass of dull red flames the passengers and crew were floating around screaming in their agony and shrieking for help the boats of the Clinton were instantly lowered and manned and every person that could be seen or heard was picked up and every possible relief afforded the lady a little steamboat lying at Dunkirk went out of that harbor as soon as possible after the discovery of the fire and arrived soon after the Clinton by one o'clock in the morning all was still except the melancholy crackling of the flames not a solitary individual could be seen or heard on the wild waste of waters a line was then made fast to the remains of the eerie's rudder and an effort made to tow the hapless hulk ashore about this time the Chautauqua came up and lent her assistance the hull of the eerie was towed within about four miles of shore when it sank in eleven fathoms of water by this time it was daylight the lines were cast off the Clinton headed her course toward Buffalo which place she reached about six o'clock upon enquiry it was found that there had been between thirty and forty cabin passengers of whom ten or twelve were ladies in the steerage there were about one hundred and forty passengers nearly all of whom were Swiss and German immigrants the whole number of persons on board who were saved did not exceed twenty-seven all that imagination can conceive of the terrible and heart-rending was realized in the awful destruction of this boat scores sank despairingly under the wild waters but there is reason to fear that many very many strong men helpless women and tender children perished in the flames among the passengers were a young gentleman and lady who first became acquainted with each other on board the lady was accompanied by her father upon an intimacy of a few hours an attachment seems to have been formed between this couple when the passengers rushed to the deck after the bursting forth of the flames the lady discovered her new acquaintance on a distant part of the deck forced her way to him and implored him to save her the only alternative left them was to jump overboard or to submit to a more horrible fate they immediately jumped the gentleman making the first plunge with a view of securing for the young and fair being who had measurably committed to his hands or safety a plank floating a short distance from the boat as soon as the plank was secured the lady leaped into the water and was buoyed up by her clothes until the gentleman was unable to float the plank to her for a short time the young man thought that his fair charge was safe but soon his hopes were blasted one of the fallen timbers struck the lady on the head her form sank upon the water a momentary quivering was perceptible and she disappeared from human view her father was lost but the young gentleman was among the number picked up by the Clinton there was a fine racehorse on board who soon after the alarm broke from his halter at the bow of the boat and dashed through the crowd of passengers prostrating all in his way and then rendered frantic by terror and pain he reared and plunged into the devouring fire and there ended his agony one of the persons saved in describing the scene says the air was filled with shrieks of agony and despair the boldest turned pale I shall never forget the wail of terror that went up from the poor German immigrants who were huddled together on the forward deck wives clung to their husbands mothers frantically pressed their babes to their bosoms and lovers clung madly to each other one venerable old man his gray hair streaming in the wind stood on the boughs and stretching out his bony hands prayed to God in the language but if the scene forward was terrible that aft was appalling for there the flames were raging in their greatest fury some madly rushed into the fire others with a yell like a demon maddened with the flames which were all around them sprang headlong into the waves the officers of the boat and the crew were generally cool and sprang to lower the boats but these were everyone successively swamped by those who threw themselves into them regardless of the execrations of the sailors and everything but their own safety I tried to act coolly I kept near the captain who seemed to take courage from despair and whose bearing was above all praise the boat was veering toward the shore but the maddened flames now enveloped the wheelhouse and in a moment the machinery stopped the last hope had left us as the water shriek rose upon the air at this moment the second engineer the one at the time on duty who had stood by his machinery as long as it would work was seen climbing the gallows head a black mass with the flames curling all around him on either side he could not go for it was now one mass of fire he sprang upward came to the top one moment felt madly around him as he fell into the flames there was no more remaining on board for the boat now broached about and rolled upon the swelling waves a mass of fire I seized upon a satine near me and gave one spring just as the flames were bursting through the deck where I stood one moment more and I should have been in the flames in another instant I found myself tossed on a wave grasping my frail support with a desperate energy one of the not least interesting facts connected with the catastrophe was that the helmsman was found burnt to a cinder at his post he had not deserted it even in the last extremity but grasped with his charred fingers the wheel his name was Luther Fuller honor to his memory a boy of twelve years of age named Levy T. Beebe belonging to Cleveland, Ohio was among those saved who did a degree of self-possession and fortitude rarely surpassed though molten lead from the burning deck was dropping on his head and his hands were scorched by the flames he clung for at least two hours and a half to the chain leading from the stern to the rudder Conflict with an Indian David Morgan had settled upon the Monongahela during the early part of the Revolutionary War and at this time had ventured to occupy a cabin at the distance of several miles from any settlement one morning having sent his younger children out to a field at a considerable distance from the house he became uneasy about them and repaired to the spot where they were working he was armed as usual with a good rifle while sitting upon the fence and giving some directions as to their work he observed two Indians upon the other side of the field closely upon the party he instantly called to the children to make their escape while he should attempt to cover their retreat the odds were greatly against him as in addition to other circumstances he was nearly 70 years of age and of course unable to contend with his enemies in running the house was more than a mile distant but the children having 200 yards to start and being effectually covered by their father and so far in front that the Indians turned their attention entirely to the old man he ran for several hundred yards with an activity which astonished himself but perceiving that he would be overtaken long before he could reach his own he fairly turned at bay and prepared for a strenuous resistance the woods through which they were running were very thin and consisted almost entirely of small trees behind which they were able to obtain proper shelter Morgan had just passed a large walnut and in order to resist with advantage it became necessary to run back about ten steps in order to regain it the Indians were startled at the sudden advance of the fugitive and halted among a cluster of saplings where they anxiously strove to shelter themselves this however was impossible and Morgan who was an excellent marksman saw enough of the person of one of them to justify him in risking a shot his enemy instantly fell mortally wounded the other Indian taking advantage of Morgan's empty gun sprung from the shelter and advanced rapidly upon him the old man having no time to reload was compelled to fly a second time the Indian gained rapidly upon him and when within twenty steps fired but with so a name that Morgan was wholly unhurt the ball having passed over his shoulder he now again stood at bay clubbing his rifle for a blow while the Indian dropping his empty gun brandished his tomahawk and prepared to throw it at his enemy Morgan struck with the butt of his gun and the Indian hurled his tomahawk at one and the same moment both blows took effect and both of the combatants were at once wounded and disarmed the breach of the rifle was broken against the Indian's skull and the edge of the tomahawk was shattered against the barrel of the rifle having first cut off two of the fingers of Morgan's left hand the Indian then attempting to draw his knife Morgan grappled him and bore him to the ground a furious struggle ensued in which the old man's strength failed and the Indian succeeded in turning him planting his knee on the breast of his enemy and yelling loudly as is usual with the barbarians upon any turn of fortune he again felt for his knife in order to terminate the struggle at once but having lately stolen a woman's apron and tied it around his waist his knife was so much confined that he had great difficulty in finding the handle Morgan in the meantime being an accomplished pugilist and perfectly at home in a ground struggle took advantage of the awkwardness of the Indian and got one of the fingers of his right hand between his teeth the Indian tugged and roared in vain struggling to extricate it Morgan held him fast and began to assist him in hunting for the knife each seized it at the same moment the Indian by the blade and Morgan by the handle but with a very slight hold the Indian having the firmest hold began to draw the knife further out of its sheath when Morgan suddenly giving his finger a furious bite twitched the knife dexterously through his hand cutting it severely both now sprung to their feet Morgan brandishing his adversary's knife and still holding his finger between his teeth in vain the poor Indian struggled to get away rearing plunging and bolting like an unbroken colt the teeth of the white man were like a vice and he at length succeeded in giving his savage foe a stab in the side the Indian received it without falling the knife having struck his ribs but a second blow aimed at the stomach proved more effectual and the savage fell Morgan thrust the knife handle and all into the body directed it upward and starting to his feet made the best of his way home fire on the prairies the following account of one of those fearfully sublime spectacles of fire on the prairie is from the wild western scenes by J.B. Jones the hunters have been out and are overtaken by night and are lost in the darkness air long a change came over the scene about two-thirds of the distance around the verge of the horizon a faint light appeared resembling the scene when a dense curtain of clouds hangs overhead and the rays of the morning sun steal under the edge of the thick vapor but the stars could be seen and the only appearance of clouds was immediately above the circle of light in a few minutes the terrible truth flashed upon the mind of Glenn the dim light upon the horizon was changed to an approaching flame columns of smoke could be seen rolling upward while the fire beneath imparted glare to them the wind blew more fiercely and the fire approached from almost every quarter with the swiftness of a racehorse the darkened vault above became gradually illuminated with a crimson reflection and the young man shuddered with the horrid apprehension of being burnt alive it was madness to proceed in a direction that must inevitably hasten their fate the fire extending in one unbroken line from left to right and in front of them and they now turned in a course which seemed to place the greatest distance between them and the furious element ever and anon a frightened deer or elk leaped past and the hounds no longer noticed them but remained close to the horses the flames came on with awful rapidity the light increased in brilliance and objects were distinguishable far over the prairie a red glare could be seen on the sides of the deer as they bounded over the tall dry grass which was soon to be no longer a refuge for them the young man heard a low continued roar that increased every moment in loudness and looking in the direction once they supposed it proceeded they observed an immense dark moving mass the nature of which they could not divine but it threatened to annihilate everything that opposed it while gazing at this additional source of danger the horses blinded by the surrounding light plunged into a deep ditch that the rain had washed in the rich soil neither men nor horses fortunately were injured and after several ineffectual efforts to extricate themselves they were resolved to await the coming of the fire ringwood and jowler whined fearfully on the verge of the ditch for an instant and then sprang in and crouched trembling at the feet of their master the next instant the dark thundering mass passed overhead being nothing less than an immense herd of buffaloes driven forward by the flames the horses bowed their heads as if a thunderbolt were passing the fire and the heavens were hid from view and the roar above resembled the rush of mighty waters when the last animal had sprung over the chasm glenn thanked the propitious accident that thus providentially prevented him from being crushed to atoms and uttered a prayer to heaven that he might by a like means be rescued from the fiery ordeal that awaited him it now occurred to him that the accumulation of weeds and grass in the chasm which saved them from injury when falling in would improve fatal when the flames arrived and after groping some distance along the trench he found the depth diminished but the fire was not 300 paces distance his heart sank within him but when on the eve of returning to his former position with a resolution to remove as much of the combustible matter as possible a gleam of joy spread over his features as a casting a glance in a contrary direction from that they had recently pursued he beheld the identical mound he had ascended before dark and from which his unsteady and erratic writing in the night had fortunately prevented a distant separation they now led their horses forth and mounting without delay whipped forward for life or death could the summit of the mound to be attained they were in safety for there the soil was not encumbered with decayed vegetation and they spurred their animals to the top of their speed it was a noble sight to see the majestic white steed flying toward the mound with the velocity of the wind while the diminutive pony miraculously followed in the wake like an inseparable shadow the careering flames were not far behind and when the horses gained the summit and glenn looked back the fire had reached the base fortunately that portion of the plane over which the scathing element had spent its fury was the direction the party should pursue in retacing their step homeward the light grass had been soon consumed and the earth now wore a blackened appearance and was as smooth as if vegetation had never covered the surface as the party rode briskly along and the pony now kept in advance the horses hoofs rattled as loudly on the baked ground as if it were a plank floor the reflection of the fire in the distance still through a lurid glare over the extended heath as the smoke gradually ascended objects could be discerned at a great distance and occasionally a half-roasted deer or elk was seen plunging about driven to madness by its tortures and frequently they found the dead bodies of smaller animals that could find no safety in flight. The Captain's Story At the close of the war with Great Britain in the year 1815 I took command of the Brig Ganges owned by Ebenezer Sage Esquire then a wealthy and respectable merchant at Middleton. I sailed from New York on the 20th of August bound for Turks Island for a cargo of salt and on the 5th of September I arrived at my destined port. It being the season for hurricanes in that region it was thought most safe for us to go around into a small harbor on the south side of the island. In order to reach this harbor we had to go through a narrow rugged channel with rocks and dangerous reefs on every side but with a skillful pilot we made our way through safely and came to anchor. On the next day we commenced taking in our cargo of salt. On the 9th of September a day that I shall ever remember my pilot came to me somewhat agitated and said that there were strong indications of an approaching hurricane and advised me to make all possible preparations to encounter it. We therefore quit taking in salt and made everything about the ship snug as possible. At twelve o'clock midnight the gale commenced as the pilot had anticipated and continued to increase until six in the morning at which time it became most terrific. Every blast grew more and more violent until our cables all parted and we were left to the mercy of the gale. It blew directly from the land. We got the ship before the wind as the only course we could pursue. In doing this we were well aware of the dangerous channel we had to pass and my only hope was that we might get to see clear of the land but this hope soon vanished in about twenty minutes after we started the ship struck a rock which knocked off her rudder and set her leaking badly. The rudder being gone we of course had no control of the vessel. She came around side to the wind and at this moment her main mist was blown over the side. We at once cut away the rigging that attached it to the hull and it floated off and the foremast still standing the ship swung off again a little before the wind. All hands were soon set to pumping but we found that in spite of all our exertions the water rapidly increased in the hold. The appearance of the elements at this time almost baffles description. So violent was their commotion that no one could stand without grasping something for support. Not a word could be heard that was uttered. I had to communicate every order by means of signs while I stood on the quarter deck holding on to the cabin doors. In this situation I endeavored calmly to reflect. Here we were as we supposed on the open ocean in a tempest of unparalleled violence with no rudder, one mast gone, boats all lost and the ship settling under us from the weight of water in the hold. The sky was black almost as midnight above us and the waves beneath and around and over us for they dashed at quick intervals like so many furies across the devoted ship seemed ready to drown us ere we sank into their dread abyss. The voice of the gale as it howled through the rigging mingled with the creaking of timbers and the roar of waters as they struck the vessel was an awful whale as it appeared to me over bodies devoted to almost instant death. Destruction seemed inevitable. It would not, to all human calculation, be protracted even an hour. We were sinking down, down, inch following inch of the fated vessel in rapid succession down remedulously to our graves in the maddened sea amid the monsters of its great deep. I descended to the cabin and attempted calmly to surrender myself to him who made me my thoughts, oh how they flew at once to my wife and children at home. I attempted to pray and for the first time since I had left my pious mother. I did pray for my family first and oh how fervently in my supplications I be sought for myself pardon and forgiveness through him who was ever ready to hear the penitent. The water had now got on to the cabin floor. I therefore placed myself on the stairs leading on deck. Shortly after this the wind shifted and in a few minutes the ship struck with a tremendous crash. I rushed on deck and at once saw rocks fifty feet high and perpendicular but a few feet from the after part of the ship which now soon filled with water and rolled over toward the land. At its four part and at the only point where we could by any possibility have been saved the rocks descended gradually and the foremost leaned over them. Not a moment was to be lost. We crawled up the rigging and swinging ourselves onto the rocks made our way up the precipice on our hands and feet and reaching the summit at once sought in the holes in the rock shelter from the tempest which still continued so violent that no one could stand upon his feet. Our escape happened about ten o'clock in the morning at five in the afternoon the gale had so moderated that we could stand. We then crawled out from our hiding places and assembling together found that all were safe except my brother who was made of the ship and he we supposed was lost in attempting to get on shore. We soon as was very natural approached the precipice to learn the fate of the ship. Nothing was to be seen of her but plank, timbers, spars, sails and rigging all in one confused broken mass and washing up against the rocks. It was truly to us a most deplorable spectacle. We had no resource in the vessel not a thing of value was left. As night was approaching we now walked along before the wind toward the south part of the island and there found by the side of a huge pile of rocks a hole or sort of cave about eight feet square and five feet high. Here we all crawled in wet and cold but with hearts grateful to God for our wonderful preservation. As we were packed very close to each other the natural warmth of our bodies soon relieved us considerably from the sensation of wetness and cold and we passed the night as comfortably as our buried miseries would allow. Morning came and we left our cave. The gale had much abated and we could see some distance. We found that we were on a small desolate island about a mile long half a mile wide and about ten miles from the place we left the day before. It was covered mostly with huge rocks with here and there a small patch of soil overrun with prickly pear and inhabited by no living animal accepting lizards and small poisonous snakes. We had been now over 24 hours without food or water. Of the latter article on searching around we found a little in the hollows in the rocks but it was about half salt having been made so by the spray which the gale had thrown from the ocean quite over the island and the more we drank of it the more thirsty we became. As to food we were soon convinced that this was out of the question. Toward night we found a cask near the beach standing on one end with one head out which held about two gallons of water that had rained in. This was not salt but smelled badly. We however scooped out with our hands about one half of it and left what remained for the next day. We got some relief from this and then we returned to our former resting place for the night. When we crawled out on the following morning we found that the weather had become fine and clear. We could see vessels passing at a short distance from us but had no means of making any signal nor any for leaving the shore. This being the third day of our distress and privation some of us began to suffer much from hunger. Others suffered more from thirst. We however cheered each other with the faint hope that something would appear for our relief. We wandered about as we had done the day before seeking for water but found none. We had nothing to dig with but our hands, these we used but in vain no water appeared. Toward night we went to the cask and drank what remained there. We then returned again to our cave for much exhausted and low spirited. Despair began to shade every countenance. Very little was said and we passed the night well as we could pressed by hunger and parched by thirst. Morning came and again we all left our shelter. The weather continued fine and clear. The men again separated in search of water but being myself very feeble I took my seat on some rocks near the cave at a point from whence I could see everything moving on the water and with a lingering hope that something would appear for our deliverance. About ten o'clock an object loomed up in the distance. I thought it was a boat but could not at once tell. It approached and soon I saw it distinctly. It was a boat with one sail and was steering directly for a low beach not far from where I was seated. My feelings at this so overcome that I lost all power of utterance. I could not at first rise from the rock. My strength however shortly returned a little and I got up and made all the noise I could. Some of the men near at hand heard me and came up. I at once pointed to the boat which was now near the shore. They shouted to their companions and we were all soon at the beach near where the boat was landed. A black man got out of the boat to me with a letter but before reading it I besought him for water. To my surprise he had none. But instead of it had a bottle of rum and a small bag of biscuit. I told him to bring these on shore and taking them I gave each of my crew a swallow of the rum and a biscuit. This had the effect of moistening a little our parched mouths and tongues. I then opened the letter. It was from my warm and faithful Mr. Tucker of Turks Island and it read as follows omitting my name. To Captain Blank or any other unfortunate person or persons who may be found on any of the neighboring islands come as many as can safely and should be any left I will find means to convey those that remain. The two men who came in the boat hesitated about taking all of us at once as we were nine in number and with themselves might overload the boat. We could not, however, bear the thought of leaving any behind. We therefore all got aboard, shoved off and made sail. We had a fair wind and a smooth sea and at six o'clock arrived safely at the harbor we had left. Many persons ran to the beach to meet us as we landed and among the rest was our Deliverer, Mr. Tucker. The next morning my friend and Deliverer gave me a brief summary of what had taken place with himself and his fellow inhabitants on the island during the gale. Many of their houses were levelled to the ground and some were blown into the sea. Their cisterns, their only dependence for water, were mostly destroyed. Even the cannon mounted on a small battery were dismounted and most of the inhabitants were in great distress. Every vessel and boat that floated about the sea or destroyed. Out of the twenty vessels that were at the island on which Mr. Tucker lived, when the gale came on, only six were heard ever from after. Five out of these six were wrecked on adjacent islands and every soul on board three of these perished. The gale was said by the oldest inhabitants to be the most violent ever known in that region. We remained on the island ten or twelve and then, taking passage in a ship bound for New York, reached that city safely on the last of November. End of Section 11 Section 12 of Thrilling Adventures by Land and Sea by James O. Brayman This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Section 12 A Tussle with a Wildcat In 1781, Lexington, Kentucky was only a cluster of cabins, one which, near the spot where the courthouse now stands, was used as a schoolhouse. One morning in May, McKinley, the teacher was sitting alone at his desk busily engaged in writing when hearing a slight noise at the door, he turned and beheld an enormous Wildcat with her forefeet upon the step, her tail curled over her back, her bristles erect, and her eyes glaring rapidly about the room as if in a mouse. McKinley's position at first completely concealed him, but a slight and involuntary motion of his chair attracted the cat's attention and their eyes met, McKinley having heard much of the powers of the human-faced divine in quelling the audacity of wild animals attempted to disconcert the intruder by a frown, but a puss was not to be bullied, her eyes flashed fire, her tail waved eagerly, and she began to gnash her teeth. She was evidently bent on mischief. Seeing his danger, McKinley hastily rose and attempted to snatch a cylindrical rule from a table which stood within reach, but the cat was too quick for him. Darting furiously upon him, she fastened upon his side with her teeth and began to rend and tear with her claws. McKinley's clothes were filled by the enraged animal whose strength and ferocity filled him with astonishment. He in vain attempted to disengage her from his side. Her long, sharp teeth were fastened between his ribs, and his efforts served but to enrage her the more. Seeing his blood flow very copiously from the numerous wounds in his side, he became seriously alarmed and, not knowing what else to do, he threw himself upon the edge of the table and pressed her against the sharp corner with the whole weight of his body. The cat now began to utter the most wild and discordant cries, and McKinley, at the same time lifting up his voice in concert, the two together sent forth notes so doleful as to alarm the whole town. Women who were generally the first to hear and spread news were now the first to come to existence. But so strange and unearthly was the harmony within the schoolhouse that they hesitated long before venturing to enter. At length the boldest of them rushed in, and seeing poor McKinley bending over the corner of the table, she at first supposed that he was laboring under a severe fit of the calling. But quickly perceiving the cat, which was now in the agonies of death, she screamed out, Why, good heavens, Mr. McKinley, what is the matter? I have caught a cat, madam, he gravely replied, turning round while the sweat streamed from his face under the mingled operations of fright, fatigue, and pain. Most of the neighbors had now arrived. They attempted to disengage the dead cat, but so firmly were her tusks locked between his ribs that this was a work of no small difficulty. McKinley suffered severely for a time of his wounds, but at length fully recovered and lived to a good old age. He was heard to say that of all the peoples that ever came to his school, the wildcat was the most intractable that he would at any time rather fight two Indians than one wildcat. An Incident in Frontier Life A daughter of Boones and a Miss Galloway were amusing themselves in the immediate neighborhood of the fort where a party of Indians rushed from a cane break and intercepting their return took them prisoners. The screams of the terrified girls quickly alarmed the family. Boones hastily collected a party of eight men and pursued the enemy. So much time, however, had been lost that the Indians had got several miles the start of them. The pursuit was urged through the night with great keenness by woodsmen capable of following a trail at all times. On the following day they came up with the fugitives and fell upon them so suddenly and so furiously as to allow them no leisure for tomahawking their prisoners. The girls were rescued without having sustained any other injury than excessive fright and fatigue. The Indians lost two men while Boones' party was uninjured. Female Intrepidity In 1782, the killing was besieged by a large number of British and Indians. So sudden and unexpected was the attack that no time was afforded for preparation. The fort at the period of the assault was commanded by Colonel Silas Zane. The senior officer, Colonel Ebenezer Zane, was in a blockhouse some fifty or a hundred yards outside of the wall. The enemy made several desperate assaults to break into the fort but at every onset they were driven back. The ammunition for the defense of the fort was deposited in the blockhouse and there had not been time to remove it before the Indians approached. On the afternoon of the second day of the siege the powder of the fort was nearly exhausted and no alternative remained but for someone to pass through the enemy's fire to the blockhouse in order to obtain the supply. When Silas Zane made the proposition to the men asking if anyone would undertake the hazardous enterprise all at first were silent. After looking at one another for some time a young man stepped forward and said he would undertake the errand. Immediately half a dozen offered their services in the dangerous enterprise. While they were disputing as to who should go, Elizabeth, sister of the Zanes came forward and declared that she would go for the powder. Her brother thought she would flinch from the enterprise but he was mistaken. She had the intrepidity to dare and the fortitude to accomplish the undertaking. Her brother then tried to dissuade her from her heroic purpose by saying that a man would be more fleet and consequently would run less risk of losing his life. She replied that they had not a man to spare from the defense of the fort and that if she should fall she would scarcely be missed. Then divesting herself of such articles and clothing as would impede the celerity of her flight she prepared to start. The gate was opened and Elizabeth bounded out at the top of her speed and ran until she arrived at the door of the blockhouse. Her brother, Colonel Sane, hastened to open the door to his intrepid sister. The Indians did not fire a gun but exclaimed as if in astonishment Squaw! When she had told her errand her brother took a tablecloth, fastened it around her waist and poured into it a keg of powder. She then sallied back to the fort in high spirits. The moment she was outside of the blockhouse the whole of the enemy's line fired at her but the shower of balls fell without doing her any injury. She reached the fort in safety and the garrison was in consequence to repel their savage foe. Such an instance of female daring is worthy of all commemoration. Fearful encounter with robbers the Madrid papers recite the particulars of a terrific scene which took place on the 14th of August, 1851 at the house of Don Diego Garcia an old nobleman who resided in the vicinity of that capital. It was dark and tempestuous the rain poured down in torrents and induced the night watch who had been reinforced since the recent augmentations of crime in the enveron of the capital to keep close to their quarters. The rows were completely deserted and at long intervals only the shadow of a human figure flitted past the huge portals of Don Diego's mansion in anxious haste toward its habitation. Juan Munoz the Don's old valet had been sent to this city by his master and was now making the best of his way home. His errand to the capital had been to procure some medicine which his master had been ordered to take he being at the time violently afflicted by the gout. Juan, as we have said was picking his way as best he could through the deluged streets and roads when just as inside of the mansion he heard the voices of a number of men behind him and supposing them to be a party of his fellow servants who had been sent in search of him since he had been much later than he expected to be he drew back into an open recess to await their approach. He discovered that he was deceived in his expectations. The men were strangers to him or at least he did not know their voices but while passing him he plainly saw the name of his master pronounced by one of their number and stepping forward he asked if they wished to see Don Diego that night. The men seemed perfectly stupefied by his sudden apparition but they soon recovered from their surprise and after ascertaining that he was alone he was politely asked to go before them and show the way. Scarcely had he proceeded a dozen yards when a violent blow on the back laid him a knife was then twice thrust into his breast and the lifeless body was hurled into the middle of the road. It was close upon midnight when the wife of Don Diego while tending her sick husband was startled by a noise from the adjoining room. She immediately rang the bell and was answered by the Major Domo the only servant who had not retired to rest being determined to await the return of Juan. As he entered the door leading to the antichamer also quickly opened and on the threshold appeared five masked men who were evidently unprepared to find more than one inmate in the sick chamber. Quick as thought the Major Domo attempted to reach the bell rope that by a violent alarm he might awake the sleepers and obtain their aid but quicker even than he was the leader of the mask band who seized a pistol from his belt and with unerring aim discharged it at the devoted servant. There was a faint cry the old servant stretched out his hands for support and then with a heavy groan fell to the floor where death closed his eyes. This unexpected catastrophe seemed to spur on the robbers to instant work. While one man was posted at each door the three others insisted upon being informed by Don Diego where he kept his money in valuables but the sick old man had sunk into so complete a lethargy by the dreadful event which had passed under his eye that he was unable to answer them. As rapidity of movement was however rendered peremptory to ensure the safety of the band the chief addressed the Donia for the same purpose in answer to which she advanced but little reluctance and bade them to follow her. The robbers at once declared their readiness and after passing along the corridor entered the dining saloon where the Donia pointed out a large box which she said contained the plate. Here another difficulty arose. The box which in reality contained the plate was securely locked and the key nowhere to be found. Anxious to get at the rich booty the leader with an angry implication put the muzzle of his heavy horse pistol to the lock. A sharp report followed and the lid thus unceremoniously opened offered no further obstacle to the rapacity of the invaders. Donia Ignatia took advantage of the joyful excitement of the band and left the room to descend into the lower story of the mansion where her hurried summons at the chamber doors of the servants were readily responded to by them as they had already been awoke by the double report in their master's apartments. The tempest which had raged so fearfully had meanwhile ceased the torrents of rain were followed by a clear night. The fury of the elements appeared as though in momentary rest they would gather strength for a fresh outbreak. Nature's wrath had given place to the wrath of man. The inanimate body of Juan Munoz had been discovered by a patrolling body of soldiery who carried it to the guard house. The stabs were found to be of minor consequence and the blow on the head although it had caused severe wound had occasioned only a temporary loss of consciousness. It must be borne in mind that two hours had nearly elapsed between the assault upon Munoz and the entrance into the house by the robbers which time had probably been spent by them in various efforts to gain access. Strong restoratives judiciously applied soon brought back animation and shortly afterward Munoz could give a confused narrative of what had befallen him. The officer on duty had once saw through the scheme and gave orders to proceed to the mansion of Don Diego which they reached at the precise moment when Donia Ignacia with an armed body of her own servants was leading them to the dining saloon. The summons of the officer at the front door was followed by a dead silence on the part of the robbers but when they heard the measured tramp of the soldiery on the staircase they sought for means of instant light. This however had been provided for. A portion of the military had surrounded the house while the others reinforced by the servants approached. The only chance then left to the brigands was to cut their way through or sell their lives as dearly as possible. In an instant the huge oaken doors of the saloon were closed and barred. The lights were extinguished, the windows opened and everything made ready for the last desperate chance. Fortune favored them for the soldiery not anticipating a leap of their enemies from the high windows withdrew their sentinels from there in order to make them guard the side and rear outlets of the mansion. Two of the bold ruffians had already made their descent by means of table claws tied together when the alarm was given. The soldiers rushed to the spot. A third robber was clinging to the frail chance for life and was rapidly descending but a well-directed shot bereft him of strength and after a few frantic efforts to retain his hold he fell heavily to the ground. His two comrades made a firm stand but vain was their boldness against the numbers of assailants and in a few moments they fell, grievously wounded, into the hands of the victors. Two more only remained of this desperate band and the fact of their being shielded by strong bolts, massive walls rendered them no insignificant enemies. Ladders were placed against the windows but the true aim of the keen-eyed brigands made four successive shots tell with appalling effect since each of them laid low one of their assailants. At last an attack upon the doors was resolved upon and soon the heavy blows of the ponderous axe resounded from the massive panels. One door gave way, there was a stunning clash followed by reports of firearms, cries of agony and the dull sound of falling victims. Again the numbers were successful but in this instant the victims knew no mercy and when at last the tumult ceased the mutilated corpses of the two brigands could hardly be recognized from three of their late assailants. The man who had been shot while descending from the window was found to be quite dead, the two survivors were subsequently identified as Ramona Gomez and Pietro Vaga, better known as the Hunchback, two of the most notorious highwaymen and burglars for whose apprehension a large reward had been offered. Shipwreck of the Monticello J. V. Brown Esquire, editor of the Lake Superior Journal who was on board the Monticello, gives the following graphic account of the disaster. It becomes our painful duty to record the most perilous shipwreck that has ever occurred on Lake Superior and having been a passenger on board the Monticello at the time we were enabled to give all the particulars in relation to the loss of the vessel and the hardships of the passengers and crew. We went on board the Entenagan on the afternoon of the 22nd September 1851 on her return from Fond du Lac. She left the river at half past five o'clock bound for the salt with about 100 persons, 20 tons of copper from the Minnesota mine and a few barrels of fish from La Pointe. And in coming out of the harbor one of the wheels struck a floating log very heavily and it is supposed to have loosened the packing boxes around one of the shafts. She lay on the bar a few minutes on her way out but the sea at that time was light and we cannot think it possible that she would have left the leak from the effects of the slight pounding on the light sand. We had been out about half an hour when the firemen discovered the water rising around the floors of the engine. They communicated the fact to Captain Wilson and it was made known to the passengers but the leak was not thought to be serious and created a very little alarm. The pump was put into operation and on examination the captain and engineer seemed clear until we could run down to Eagle Harbor a distance of 60 miles but it was soon discovered that the water was fast gaining on the pump and preparations were made immediately for raising water by means of barrels and buckets. The wind was blowing at first from the westward but soon changed to the northwest. It was fresh but fair and aided by sails and all the steam that it was prudent to carry. She came on at a rapid rate keeping on her course in hopes to make the harbor. The passengers and crew worked steadily at the pumps but the water continued gradually to gain on them. The most of the copper and all the other freight was thrown overboard with a hearty good will the wealth of the mine seeming of but little consequence at such a time. Every possible means were employed to raise water and every passenger assisted to the utmost of the strength and ability to keep the sinking vessel afloat. Two pumps, three barrels and a half dozen pails were constantly in motion and still the water gained steadily but surely on their efforts. We had been out about three hours. The wind and waves constantly increasing when it was found there was little hope of reaching Eagle Harbor. The water had risen nearly to the fires and was fast gaining ground notwithstanding all the exertions of those on board. After remaining on her course a few minutes longer the boat was headed toward the land and new efforts were put forth to encourage all on board to assist at the pumps and barrels. By this time there was three feet of water or more in the hold and she moved and rolled heavily through the seas the wood having to be shifted from one side of the vessel to the other to keep her in trim. One fire after the other was rolled into the water and it became evident most hopeful that they would be extinguished entirely and it was still thought the wind would take her in under the land even if the steam should fail. It was not long before the fires were reported out. The engines worked lazily for a short time the clicking of the bowels became faint and less frequent and finally like the dying struggle of a strong man it ceased altogether. Weiried with incessant exertions at the pumps many took out and retired to the cabins seeming to prefer rest to escape from the watery grave into which they were fast sinking. Some were even forced into the hold to fill barrels and pails and new efforts were put forth to induce the suffering crew and passengers to hold out an hour longer with the assurance that we could reach land in that time. With this hope and that influence which strong minds always exert under such circumstances they were pulled again of the pumps with a kind of desperate exertion and for a time they even gained on the water. There was another circumstance which encouraged them to work. The boat being careened on one side by the sails one of the fires was partially out of the water and a fire was kindled again by means of dry wood, oil and the most combustible matter the boat afforded. This not only assisted our progress toward the land but also the dangers to new exertions. The fires were in this way kindled and extinguished several times and all felt that they owed much to the irregular exertion of the engines for their preservation especially as the wind for some time died away so as to scarcely fill the sails. For too long hours the waterlog vessel drifted in before sounding could be had. In this region it was well known that the coast was rocky and winding and the night was too dark to enable the pilot to distinguish one place from another. A heavy sea rolled in upon the shore and it seemed like madness to attempt a landing under such circumstances. Accordingly Captain Wilson decided to come to anchor and endeavour to keep the vessel afloat till daylight and as soon as we came into six fathoms of water the anchors were let go and she swung round heavily in the furious waves that threatened speedily to complete the work of destruction. Several insane attempts had been thwarted for cutting away the boats which had they succeeded, we doubt not, would have proved certain destruction to nine-tenths of all on board. For if the boats had not been swamped at once they would undoubtedly have been dashed to pieces on the rock bound shore leaving others to swim ashore as best they might. The pumping and bailing were continued with the energies of a noble crew. Two or three hours more would bring the light of another day and it was understood that an attempt would be made to land as soon as it was daylight. The time were tediously away and the passengers and crew were too much exhausted to keep down the water and still they laboured to do so with what strength they had left. Sometime before daylight the wind changed to the north and commenced blowing hard directly upon the shore and the sea increased rapidly often times washing into the hatchways where the men were at work bailing and it became evident to all that the vessel could be kept afloat only for a short time longer. At five o'clock it was light enough to see that it was a bold rocky shore against which the waves dashed high and furiously but it was too late to choose a place for landing and the captain ordered the anchors raised. Her bow swung around to the east and in fifteen minutes she struck heavily on the solid rock about three hundred yards from the shore. The men kept at work pumping and bailing till she struck when the waves at once swept in upon her deck and filled the hold. The largest of the two yawls happened to be on the lee side and it was soon lowered away and with a line long enough to reach the land the first and second mates measures Lucas and Barney W.T. Westbrook and one of the crew started for the shore. The line was made fast to a tree and they commenced the far more difficult and dangerous task of returning. The little boat seemed to be engulfed by every breaker that it met on its way and none but strong and true hands could have saved the boat in this emergency and no one unaccustomed to the dangers of the sea can imagine the nerve necessary to manage a boat under such difficulty. The smaller boat after much difficulty and delay was got around under the lee and bailed out but it swamped the first trip ashore and was not used afterward. By constant and untiring exertions the passengers and crew were all landed at half past eight o'clock and after securing the shattered boats as best they could on the steep side of the rocky shore they gathered around the fires to look upon the miserable boat. All were drenched with the water and coming ashore, cold and hungry, worn out by the fatigues of the night and morning they locked down around the fires the sari is looking gathering that had ever been our misfortune to witness. All had been so anxious in seeing the passengers and crew landed safely that they had not thought about providing for our future wants and nothing in the shape of provisions or baggage had been provided. After they had looked around them for a few moments the boat was again manned and the wreck was again explored for provisions and a few pounds of hard bread part of a quarter of fresh beef and some boiled beef were brought in which was, as one remarked a poor show for a lunch for so many sharp appetites. After having eaten this mouthful we proposed to start with as many as possible for Eagle River which was judged to be miles distant and a party of twenty-two in numbers set out. It was noon when we started with our clothes still wet and heavy and little or nothing to eat. We worked our way slowly through the cedar swamp, over logs and under logs, up ravines and down ravines, a crooked trackless toilsome way till the middle of the afternoon when we met two of our fellow passengers on their way back to the wreck. They had been on some distance further but worn out with the hardships of their journey and hunger they had turned back, disheartened and advised us to do the same. But we decided to go on and on we went through the worst cedar swamps in the world till the thick woods began to grow dark with the shades of evening until a number of the party became completely exhausted with fatigue and hunger. We then concluded to encamp for the night although we could not have traveled in all the afternoon over five miles or about a mile an hour. Without an axe a few sticks were collected and two or three poor fires were kindled. All the bits of hard bread and fresh beef in all a scanty meal for one person supper was produced and rationed out to the twenty-two persons every one ate as sparingly as possible and as we were without tents we lay down on the cold ground in our wet clothes before the fire and dozed and shivered with cold till daylight. As soon as we could see to travel we proceeded on our toil some way and after walking about a mile we came to the trail that leads from Lake Superior to Portage Lake and saw two or three Indians pushing out through the surf a bark canoe which they soon jumped into and paddled away before the wind. We tried to induce them to return in hopes to procure something from them as fire craving hunger but they scarcely deigned to look back. Some of our party had been from this trail to Eagle River and it was some consolation to meet with a landmark that was known. We now commenced walking along the beach which was composed of large pebbles covered in many places with logs and trees that had washed or tumbled in from off the overhanging banks making it as tiresome walking as can well be imagined. Frequently in order to keep the beach we were obliged to walk within reach of the dash of the waves and were drenched with the cold flood. About two miles east of the Portage Trail we discovered near the edge of the bank which was some ten feet above the lake the remains of a human being. The clothes of a man in a good state of preservation have covered the bleaching bones the sad sickening unburied relics of some poor shipwrecked brother who had here ended his voyage over life's stormy main. He had evidently chosen this spot where he could die looking off upon the lake from whence no sucker came and where he could be easily discovered by the passer by. A description was taken by one of our party of his clothes and the few articles found on them and we learned on inquiring at Eagle River that they were undoubtedly the remains of a Mr. Matthews who got lost from the Algonquin mine a few weeks previous. A brother of the deceased repaired to the spot as soon as possible and brought down the remains for burial at Eagle Harbor. The morning had not far advanced when a number of our party began to lag behind exhausted from the effects of hunger and weakness and it was evident that some would have to be left behind while some of the others might possibly reach a day and send assistance. We confidently expected to find some provisions in a warehouse at Grandiade River, 12 miles from Eagle River, and all had hopes to reach there before night. A few of our party pushed forward as fast as possible to procure food and fires for those behind, but great was our disappointment not to find a particle of provisions at that place. We kindled a fire and rested for a few minutes till a number of our party came up, the larger number being still far behind. It now became more important than ever that someone should reach Eagle River and seven of our number determined to make the trial. We had now 12 miles further to go and in our miserable condition we traveled but slowly but the trail grew better as we proceeded and we came inside of Eagle River about four o'clock in the afternoon and after circumstances a more pleasant inviting village we did not recollect ever to have seen before. Four or five of our party came through the same evening and a few others of another party came in the next day with similar hardships. On the Tuesday following Captain Mackay with the schooner Algonquin proceeded to the wreck and brought off the captain, crew and remaining passengers and all that could be saved of valuable property. End of section 12.