Part 21 (2/2)

Vaudelier was too far off, however, to form a very correct idea of the casualty.

Portions of the wreck were floating by him, and occasionally his boat struck against a timber or cask. While anxiously straining his vision, to ascertain further particulars of the disaster, he heard a faint cry close ahead of him. By the light of his lantern, which he had hung up by the foremast, to attract the eye of any sufferer who might need aid, he saw a man clinging to a barrel floating by him. Hastily letting go the halyards, the fore and main sails came down, the boat was put about, and Dr. Vaudelier, with much exertion, succeeded in saving the almost dying sufferer. Conveying him to the cabin, which was of sufficient size to contain two berths, he placed him upon one of them, and proceeded to ascertain his ailments. These, as far as he could discover them, consisted of a broken arm, a severe contusion of the head, and several severe scalds. The wounded man's endeavors to aid in his own rescue had been too violent, and on being placed in the berth he had fainted. After administering such relief as he was able, he returned to the stern-sheets, hoisted the sails, and the boat, which had been drifting down-stream, again approached the wreck.

The flames of the Chalmetta were now extinguished. Before the benevolent physician could reach her, the Flatfoot had taken her in tow, and both were rapidly leaving him. Further pursuit was useless; so, taking in the stay-sail, he put the boat about, and again turned his attention to the sufferer.

The boat's progress, a.s.sisted by the current, was very rapid, and she soon reached the island. The experienced eye of her manager discerned through the darkness the narrow opening of the little stream. Taking in the sails and lowering the masts, the little craft glided through the rivulet, and in less time than is taken to relate it was securely moored in front of the cottage. The old negro, bewildered by the unseasonable summons, a.s.sisted in conveying the wounded stranger to the cottage.

Dr. Vaudelier, after a more thorough examination of his patient than he had been able to make before, was pleased to find that his wounds, though serious, were not of a dangerous character. He set the broken arm, and, by the exercise of the great skill for which he had been distinguished, restored him to consciousness, and made sure his future recovery.

”Where is she? Is she safe?” murmured the sufferer, as his returning consciousness afforded a partial knowledge of his condition. ”Where am I?”

”You are among friends, sir,--among friends. Do not distress yourself,”

replied the doctor, in a soothing tone.

”Where is she? Great G.o.d! what has become of her?” exclaimed the wounded man, with startling energy.

”You must be quiet, sir, or you will injure your arm,” said Dr.

Vaudelier, mildly restraining the excited man.

”O, Emily, Emily!” groaned the sufferer. ”Why did I leave you? Why did we not perish together?”

”Be calm, sir,--be calm! You have lost a friend in this terrible disaster?”

”I have. O that I could have died with her!”

”Are you sure she has perished?”

”She could scarcely have survived the explosion.”

”Was she not in the ladies' cabin?”

”She was.”

”Then probably she is safe. The ladies' cabin was thrown from its position; but it appeared to be comparatively but little shattered. The forward cabin was blown entirely in pieces.”

”Thank G.o.d for this intelligence!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Henry Carroll,--for the reader has already discovered that it was he whom the doctor had rescued.

”Another steamer was close at hand, so that probably most of the ladies were saved, unless, as is often the case, they jumped overboard in their fright.”

”Heaven protect her!” exclaimed Henry.

”But, sir, I must insist on perfect quiet. Your condition imperatively demands it. To-morrow everything shall be done to relieve your anxiety.

We shall then receive Vicksburg papers, which will contain the names of all who are lost.”

”I will try to be quiet, but I cannot but be anxious till I know the whole truth.”

Dr. Vaudelier again applied a soothing balm to the scalded portions of his body, and gave him a powerful narcotic, the effects of which were soon visible in a deep, troubled slumber.

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