Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-02-17

iett untouched Dnt the narrow quarter
deck, on which the now despairing crew
had gathered in crowds, some eagerly en-
deavoring to lower the only boatthat had
escaped the flames, some frantically cry
ing for mercy, some cursing and blasphe
ming awfully in their agony, and some
stretching ont their hands imploring for
help.
Give way, my men, give way-will
you see the miserable wretches burned
before your eyesY ] shouted, rising in
the boat and waving my hat to the suf
ferers, forgetting in the excitement of the
moment the imminence of our own dan
ger in case of an explosion. The poor
wretches on the quarter-deck of the burn.
ing ship answered back with hysteric
shout. Our gallant tars started like
mettle hounds at the cry, and with a few
vigorous strokes we dashed up to the
quarter.
keep her off there / shouted, see
ing that we should be swamped by the
eagerness Of the sufferers to escape, keep
her off! Jump overheard, and well pick
you upr / continued, as we fell off from
her quarter again, and in less than three
minutes the deck was bare, and our boats
full of the rescued crew.
'tMr. Danforth,' at this moment shout
ed Jack from the other boat ahead,
there's lady and her father, they say
here, still on board-for heavens sake
let US try TO save them ?
For a moment, as I remembered nv
orders and the extremity of our danger,
pauSed-but when ] reflected that by
departing, we should abandon two human
beings TO horrid death, hesitated no
longer. Hastily learning from the mate
of the vessel that they were their only
passengers, and having taken refuge in
the hold during the late chase, had since
been forgotten-and not feeling warrant
ed in ordering any one on so dangerous
a journey, gave the boat in charge Of
Irwin who had luckily smuggled himself
on board, sternly bid one or two of my
crew who attempted TO follow, to keep
their stations, mounted her side by a rope
that hung over her quarter, rapidly trav-
ersed the deck in the midst of tremea.
, dous heat, and darted down the compan-
ion-way leaving the flames not FIVE feet
from its entrance.
The cabin was a large one, and fitted
up with taste. The decorations were
even luxurious, and such as l had at thai
time rarely seen in merchantmen. The
t state-rooms were mahogany, inlaid witt
r ebony, and finished off with great ele
} gance. Curtains, apparently of damask
hung round, and the show of silver anC
: cut glass by the compaion-way was ever
brilliant.
: The cabin was, however, still as death
! A lady's glove lay on an ottoman, ant
beside it was an open book but no othe
traces of human beings were discernabl'
t round. Where could the owner of tha
I small, delicate French glove be !? Wa
she already victim to that frightful ele
ment? Had the mate deceived himsel
in supposing she had been removed from
the hold? Was there no hope, if sht
still lived, of reaching her in time to saw,
her. from horrid death? All thes,
questions flashed rapidly across my mind
4, and my heart sickened as owned l coulr
not answer them.
The danger, meanwhile, grew NOR
imminent. | was standing, as it were
above mine that had been sprung, fu
should the flames reach the magazine, in
evitable destruction must ensue. No
. could that catastrophe be much longe
postponed. The devouring element ha
already gained possession of all around
? and even now might be eating its wa
. ravenously towards it. Besides, if
d paused moment longer, the fire w7ul
d reach the companion-way, and all hop
Of escape from the cabin be cut off.
1t Had it been only my own life tha
e was endangered, would not have lies
:, tated in periIing it to the utmost. br
e when remembered that dozen gallar
n fellows from my crew, as well as scor
of others from the rescued sufferer
d would be involved in my own fate,
e could not doubt as to my duty.
ie These reflections, however, had n,
E. occupied more than the instant in whic
! l had been throwing open successivel
IS the doors of the s;ate-rooms. Alas, a
d we're empty! With heavy heart ! ",
ie about to mount the companion-way, whe
I noticed that massive curtain at ii
n further end seemed 10 divide Off SMALL