CONFLAGRATION OF THE PHOENIX. 463 
ment, and probably also my fate, had I done as I contempla- 
ted ; when the fact was, that the steam-boat at this period was 
in the broadest part of Lake Champlain, and at least three 
miles from any land. I had left the deck about two hours 
before, and this change had occurred in the meantime. I 
looked round upon the deck to find a suitable board, or some- 
, thing of sufficient buoyancy that I could trust to amid such 
waves as I saw were running. There was nothing large 
enough to deserve such confidence ; I looked aft over the taff- 
rail, every thing there looked gloomy and forbidding ,' I cast 
my eyes forward, the wind was directly ahead, and the 
flames were forced, in the most terrific manner, toward the 
stern, threatening every thing in its range with instant de- 
struction. I then thought if I could pass the middle of the 
boat, which seem.ed also to be the centre of the fire, I might 
find security in standing to windward on the bowsprit. I 
made the attempt. It was vain. The flames were an insur- 
mountable barrier. I was obliged to return toward the stern. 
There was then no one in sight. I stepped over upon the 
starboard side of the quarter-deck. I thought all was gone 
with me. At that moment I saw a lady come up to the cabin 
door, lean her hands against the side of it, and look with a 
steadfast, silent gaze, and distracted air toward the flames ; she 
turned and disappeared in the cabin. It was Mrs. Wilson, 
the poor unfortunate lady who afterward, with the captain's 
assistance, as he informed me, committed herself, with many 
piercing shrieks and agonizing exclamations, to the treache- 
rous support of a small bench on the troublesome bosom of 
the lake. I then looked over the starboard quarter to know 
whether the other boat was indeed gone. I had the happiness 
to see her : she seemed to b'e full, or nearly so ; one or two 
passengers were standing on the lower steps of the accom- 
modation ladder, apparently with the design of entering the 
boat when she came within reach. I was determined to enter 
her at all risks, and instantly leaped over the quarter and de- 
scended into her. I found her knocking under the counter, 
and in danger of foundering. The steam-vessel still continu- 
ed to advance through the water : the waves dashed the boat 
with considerable violence against her, and most of those 
who had sought safety in the boat, being unacquainted with 
water scenes, were much alarmed, and by their ill directed 
eflbrts were adding to the risk. Under these circumstances 
it became necessary to cut the fast, Avhich was done, and 
the boat, and those that were in it, were instantly secure. All 
