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one quarter of a mile of the first rapids, and within a half a mile of the tremendous precipice, as near as they dare approach, and cutting her adrift, she passed majestically on, while the oarsmen of the yawl had to pull for their lives to effect their own safety. Indeed, such were the fears of the hands, as I have understood, that on approaching the rapids, they cut the tow line before they had received orders from their commander.
And now we approach the interesting moments of the exhibition. The high grounds on both sides of the American and British shores were lined with people, having a full view of the rapids and the approach of the vessel, and now it was that a thousand fears and expectations were indulged, as the Michigan, unguided by human agency, approached, head on, the first rapid descent, and apparently keeping the very course that the most skilful navigator would have pursued, having an American ensign flying from her bowsprit, and the British Jack displayed at her stern. She passed the first rapid unhurt, still head on, making a plunge, shipping a sea and rising from it in beautiful style, and in her descent over the second her masts went by the board, at the same moment affording those who have never witnessed a shipwreck, a specimen of the sudden destruction of the spars of a ship at sea in case of a wreck.—Expectation for her fate was now at the highest; she swung round and presented her broadside to the dashing and foaming waters, and after remaining stationary
