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.

CHAPTER XV.

"But thou, a wretched, base, false, worthless coward!
All eyes must shun thee, and all hearts detest thee.
Prythee avoid, nor longer cling thus round me,
Like something baneful, that my nature's chilled at."

OTWAY.

In a small log-cabin, a few miles above "Cottage Island," reposing upon
a rude bed, on the morning of the Chalmetta's disaster, was a young and
beautiful female. She was pale and in tears, evidently suffering the
most excruciating mental agony. An old woman, from whose bosom her
half-civilized mode of life had not entirely banished those refined
sympathies which belong by intuition to her sex, was vainly striving to
impart comfort.

"You ought to be thankful, ma'am, that you wan't blowed up, with the
rest of the poor people," said she, kindly, attempting to turn the
lady's attention from her absorbing misery.

"I had rather a thousand times have perished than fallen into the hands
of the villain who rescued me," replied Emily,--it was she,--with a
shudder.

"O, ma'am, they shan't hurt a hair of your head. My old man wouldn't see
such a good cretur as you hurt, for all the world."

"Alas! I fear his power will not avail against this hardened villain."

"Never you fear, ma'am! Two sich popinjays as them couldn't skeer my
Jerry, nohow. Besides, my son, Jim, will be back in an hour or two."

"I fear they cannot aid me."

"Yes, they can. My Jerry alone would turn 'em inside out, if they are
sarcy."

"I can scarcely hope the villains--"

"Softly, lady, softly! do not be harsh!" said Harwell, entering the
apartment in which Emily was, and which was the only one the cabin
contained.

"Mr. Maxwell," said Emily, rising, "if you have any mercy, or pity for
my misfortunes, let me be left alone."

"I would not injure you, Miss Dumont," replied Maxwell, in a gentle
tone. "I would see you in safety at your destination. Mr. Vernon has
been two hours absent, in search of a carriage."

"A carriage! For what?"

"To convey you to a steamboat-land