Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-09-01

''Tainp his turn" ] says, rather obstinate
like. "Ovsr You gor' and at suca time one
can't be interfered with. and having made my
plans so far i didn't want them altered so,
"Over yon go!' says. 20. II
81 think can crawl" he SAYS, and he got
out on the ladder; but instead of crawling he
sat as,iide OF II and worked himselfaiong, with
the crowd hurrayIng aGd cheering him tremen.
dous. t..
And up came the flame and smoke, and the
roar and erackle and falling in of timber was
eetnng terrible. Every place was light as day,
scOrch fearSully.
The sooner you're across and me with you,
the better l shall like it," / says, and then
when there came a crash and a puff, and IN a
moment the flames came wreathing and Twill
ing up from underneath where 1 stood, and
Just As the last chap had bis leg on the window
sill and 1 was going to tie the rope around
him, gave yell and fell back or rather 1
pulled him back Into the smoky room, and he
He must have gone do wn crash into the court
If hadn't have dragged at him; but there was
no time TO lose. / made the rope fast and got
him on 10 the ladder with the flames darling by
through the rounds and burning his hair:
and then i shouted to them TO haul, and haul
they did, with me trying TO. steady him with
my end OF the rope, but before he was quite
across something went snap, and ] staggered
back INTO the room. holding on by the piece of
burnt through rope, and with by heart sinking
as felt that my own salvation was partly
gone.
just then the flames was waited ON one side,
and L saw that they were dragging In the last
OF the seven, and felt now as il I'D done a
good nights work and 10 was time to save N.Y.
self. I'm not ashamed own il did feel
frightened AZ threw down that piece Of rope,
and 1t must have oeen something like . cry of
horror gave when i got hold OF the ladder
and felt it burn my hands, and then as tried
10 bear upon IL, felt II crumble away, and that
was without q way TO escape
Far above the noise of the fire and water
came the shrek of the crowd a q I'M ad-
der fell away and hung blazing by one end
against the opposite house, while there came
could not look out; but directly after heard
the herce rush of the water and could see that
four branches were delugIng the window, and
all beneath; for my mates knew what a danger
/ ran to the window, and was beaten back by
the water, while the smoke that come ND was
quite binding. Then tried through the hot
vapor In the room 10 see If could get out of
the door and reach the roof; but lust at that
moment there came dull flash through the
smoke, and l could see that the back Of the
house was all on fire, while from the way the
flames rushed M again in front and filled the
court, knew that there was no help to be had
from opposite for they must be beaten from
the window.
I'D been i'm some danger in my time: but till
now there has always seemed a road out, and
as tore furious around the place with the
sweat dripping off me and the horrible fear of
death so close at hand, seemed to be regular.
ly unnerved and fell TO shrieking and CRYING
cut that my mates had deserted me; when thew
were on the roof and had let down a rope TO
me, but could not see il; and then at last one
OF them was let down, and tried to get in at the
window. but the flames beat him back and a
groan came from the people as they saw all
that had been done.
AS told you, 1 seemed quite to lose nv
nerve, End ran about shriekng for few min
utes, and then fell down on my face upon
ed 10 come TO again, and 1 felt that il must
die should have done my duty, and had
saved seven poor creatures: and as i thought
that, rose TO my knees, and some words came
10 my lips-words that came to nv heart as /
thought OF those who were once saved from the
beat Of the burning. fiery furnace; and prayed
mat too might be saved.
And all. il was hard TO pray there to keep
yonr thoughts in the midst of that fierce suffo-
eating heat Of smoke and steam from the water
pouring into the room. And how everything
else but the words of PRAYER came into ones
mind; and IL was as if Notwithstanding bias
pheming devils, were Kissing in my ears to
thought Of those at home, and the little golden
curls that should play with no more: and how
could now understand the dread nv wife
always had Of what she called my frigh,ful
business. Yes, had saved seven that night:
but II was hard to die-hard to give up life at
eight and twenty, and suffer the death from
which had saved so many.
1 couldn't help 1t lust then, for a grim Smile
came over my face as i thought il was nv old
enemy the fire being revenged upon me: but
directly after 1 tried to pray once more, and
IL
cry, dashed off my helmet, dragged nv belt
undone. and kicked off my heavy boots half
suffocated: and had off my thick coat, too; and
then, with my heart beating with hope, /
thanked God Tor the thought, and the next
moment was over the CRATE bars and In the
big chimney of the old house.
Ii was full of smoke, and / could hardly
breathe; but IL was sure way of escape to the
roof; and Though 1 could feel that was tearing
the SKIN from my elbows and knees, managed
10 climb higher and higher, slowly and pain.
univ. hut soon 4 cOnld fppi a nfs
refreshing air setting down TO me. and eyery
breath gave me fresh strength till / reached
the top, when my heart sank, as l found il
would be impossible to get any farther on
aeount OF the chimney pot.
To shout was useless, and for a while / was
in despair. but al last 1 got my hands well
ABOVE me. and tried to move the pot / tried
again and again, and then to force myself
through, till was so wedgeo in that had loos.
ened he pot, and at last completely forced 1t
on, abd raised myself painting to q sitting posi-
lion on the chimney stack, but afraid to move.
Tor my head was wedged in the pot, which was
nXed down upon my shoulders.
knew that could not stay where 1 was
for long. and tried once more 10 get rid of my
awkward helmet; and now, having both hands
at liberty, i loosened 1T, and II fell with crash
into court beneath.
Just then there rose cheer. for some one
had made me out from below; and sick and faint
as was / managed TO wave my hand, and try
lot get dowr without help. And 1 suppose
English people must be fond of cheering, for
now they did shout when got down through
another house and were amongst them: and
after all il was only ones duty.-London Morn
ing Sfor.