National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-05-03

had got the right man in the right
place, when they chose that captain,
for he runs to the poop. where all
IL. shiverlng things We're standing,
and with few words he quiets
them. Then he runs to the men as
was scuffiing abont here, there, and
everywhere, and gets them altogeth-
cr and then at last he gets line
of fellows with buckets, a lot more
at the pumps, and some more at the
little engine as was there and then
when all was ready, and every man
standing at his post, he goes with
some more to the matches and drags
up a couple, when up rose aregular
pillar of fire and some, with snakey
and quiet movement, and in a mo
ment, every face was lit up, and
there was quite a glare spreading
far out to sea. Sails, cordage, masts,
everything seemed turned into gold.
For moment l couldn't help for
getting the danger, and thinking
what a beautiful sight it was
wien directly after there was re-
gular ringing cheer, the engine and
pumps went 'clang- -clang,' and the
water was teemed into the burning
hold from bucket and engine noz.
Zle.
How the water Missed and sput,
tered while volumes OF smoke and
steam rushed up where it had been
all flame but moment before, and
as We saw this we cheered but we
had nothing to cheer for it was
only the fire gathering strength !;
and tLen, as though laughing at the
water we poured III, it came daShing,
and crawling, and running up, lick.
/ ing the ed geS of the hatchway, and
setting on fire the tarpaulins at the
sides, and then = began to shoot
and leap up as IA catch at the
/ cordage and sails.
Pour it in, my lads,' shouted the
captain.
Don't be afraid we shan't run
short of water, like they do at your
London fires
NO says chap OH my side ;
and there amt no running away
into the next street.
Then | saw the captain run to the
mar at the wheel, and he changed
the course of the ship, so that all
the smoke and flame went over the
side and then'at it we went, send
ing i'll the water at tremendous
rate, but to all appearance it did nc
good-not bit.
Now, my lads says The captain
with a will : and then We cheercd
again, and that noble fellow stood
with the engine nozzle III his hand,
leaning right over the fiery he lie,
where the flames darted out, scorch-
ing him, and there he stood battling
with them, and aiming the water
where he thought best.
You see | stood close aside him,
so that | could see all as he did--a
brave fellow--and it was hot, too.
You know was taking the buckets
as they were passed to me, and send
ing the water in with regular
s. lash as far as | could every time
aui the captain nodded at me every
nov and then, and, We'll done !.
H. says, when it was him as ought
- have had the praise.
1t was like looking down into the
mouth OF furnace : and, as far as
| could see, we might just as wei
have been playing with a couple o
boys sguirts but ! knew enough
of duty to feel what | ought to do
and though I'd have liked to have
been beside the wife to comfort her
, my duty was to stand there ant
pouring in that there water till
couldn't do it no longer; and th,
more it didn't seem no good, th'
more l warmed up-obstinate like
and meant to try for | didn't SCI
any fun in being beaten off by a few
flames and sparks, while the look a
. l got now and then from the cap
tain went through me, and in wen
r the water.
, All at once lot of sailors stoI
, ped pumpking and one shouts out !:
{ Tain't no good, mates. Boat
, out =
, But he hadn't hardly said it, bt
. fore | saw the captain dart back
; and then there was bright light a
= the copper branch of the horse pip
; flashed through the air, and the
&. down came the sailor OH the deck.
;. Back to your work, men,, san
4 ont the captain 'and let man &
+ to the boat if he dares 4" And the
c they stood hanging about, muttel
ing, and one Dutch clap pulls out
knife. just at the same minut,
!, too, a couple of the sailors as ha
r been a handing me the buckets
: strikes work too, a-saying they'd L
hanged if they'd stop there and i
+ irizzled.
!, felt that if the men did as the
liked, it would be all over with us
I and that meant regular rush [
:. the boats, while the poor woma
= and children were left to burn s
i what did | do but | ups with Il
l. leather BUCKET had in my hand
!, I've often laughed since--and bring
3 it down like 'stinguisher right G
x the top of number ones head as
tother--he was q little chap, IN
Pm six foot and pretty strong
d gets hold Of him by the scruii
the trousers, and aiore he kne
u where he was, ] had him up in Il