Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-10-19
he says, every soul on the boat can be

saved.
Il can do just what I tell you I can
do" said the lad; that is, if the engines
work, and we can fetch her around in
the sea, and the flames don't get ahead
of us; for there is a little bay nearly
abreast Of us, and the water is deep in
it, and the beach is free from rocks and
stones, and | can tell the pilot just
where to steer to get into ii"
But" said the Captain, and he spoke
with hurried utterance, as one who feels
there isn't a moment to lose, you ought
to know, and your friends here ought to
know, the danger you run, for the flames
will break out in a few moments. You
can hear them roaring under-deck alrea-
dy The flames will break out in mo-
ment, say; this pilot-house will be on
fire, and he who stands inside it will
stand in the center of flames, and it will
be through Gods mercy if he comes out
Of it alive. l feel it to be my solemn
duty to state these things to you, young
man, in the presence Of your friends
who are interested in your life. Now
knowing your danger, knowing that you
will probably lose your life, / ask you
again, will you pilot this steamer to that
beach? There are 600 souls on board
and if you do it you will be their savior
Will you do it?"
The lads face never changed muscle
The light in his eyes may possibly have
darkened a little, and the old trapper
noted that his long, awkward fingers
shut into their palms with slightly
tightened grip, but his voice was quiet
as ever, as he said:
" | will help you beach her, Captain. .
The Captain hesitated yet moment.
He knew himself that the lad was going
to his death-going with the quietness
that could have only ignorance or the
finest heroism for it's cause. 1t was not
to be wondered at, that, accepting as he
was the sacrifice of life, he was touch
ed. He gazed at the singular being be-
fore him, observed the simple guileless-
ness of his countenance, and, dashing a
tear from his eye, he turned to the trap
per and said
''Old man, this boy is your companion,
and you love him?"
Eyes: the lad and me have slept to-
gether, and we've eaten from the same
bark, and he and me has done little sar-
vices for each other that men in the
woods don't forgit, and | guess you're
about right, Cap'n, when ye say | love
the lad"
God Forbid" exclaimed the Captain
God forbid that | take the response
bility of the sacrifce-for that's just
what it is, old man. Ought the boy to
stay?"
"Sartin, sartin, said the old trapper;
If the lad can save the wimmin-folks
and the leetle uns, not to speak of the
men, by staying here, then he sartinly
ought to stay, even if he starts on his
last trail from the deck of a vessel in
stead of from the shades Of the pine;
for death never comes too quick to one
who meets it at the post of duty, and it
never comes slow enough to one who
shirks. Yes, let the lad stay where he
is, and an old man who has faced death
on many field where bullets was thick,
will stand by his side, and the Lord of
Mercy shall do with him as He will. |
should liked to have seed the pups agin,
but the good Lord will take care of the
dogs"
While this conversation had been car
ried on the officers of the steamer had
made arrangements to steer the craft
from the stern, for the pilot-house was
already so hot as to make it unsafe for
the four men stationed at the wheel to
remain in it much longer The ropes
and blocks had been adjusted, the pur-
Oh fnI hn e,fn lrno
dy being directed from behind. The
Captain still stood by the side of the lad
with trumpet in hand, ready to give the
orders to veer her around.
Young man" said the Captain, you
are pilot now. When shall we swing
about? It's a rough sea, but the flames
give us no choice"
The lad looked steadfastly moment
at the beacon they had passed, asked the
Captain question as to her course, and
then said:
1--WE are passing the cove! We must
not go rod further! Quick! Swing
her round!
The Captain lifted the trumpet to his
lips, and in tones that rang strong and
clear above the roar of the storm and of
the flame, shouted:
Hard -a-port with'your helm! Hard
a-port, | tell you! Jam her down for
your lives!
The men in control of the helm obey
ed with an energy born of the peril of
the moment. The mighty fabric swayed
for moment, but tore on as if unwil-
ling to yield The next instant the i'm
mense pressure of the helm hard-a-pOrt
began to tell, and the monstrous bulk
swung slowly about, rolled downward in
to the trough Of the sea as if she would
never rise, reeled over as she met the
mighty wave square amid-ship till her
larboard rail lay deep in the kissing wa
ter, struggled up, righted herself labori-
ously, and as she Strengthened her
course with the gale square astern, and
with her steam gauge standing at seven
ty-fve, shot toward the shore like an ar
row from the bow.
"Cap'n," said the trapper, as he low
cred the trumpet from his lips, give us
the, insterment, and do ye run back and
keep the poor creeturs from throwing
themselves overboard-for they be get
ting wild. | can talk through the horn
as well as ye can-and the lad will tell
me the words"
Il can't leave you, old man. It shall
never be said that Charles Stearnes left
two brave men to die while he saved his
own life"
"Capt'n," returned the old trapper, l
know yer feelings, for l see the stuff ye
be made of. but the Lord app'ints duty
unto man, and it's not of his choosing;
and it's yer duty to 60 and ourn to stay.
Don't We worry about us, for | be old,
and few days more or less on the arth
don't matter, and | can see by the look
in the lads face that he be ready. So
give me the horn and you go where you
oughter go, and we will stay where we
oughter."
The old man uttered these words with
such solemn majesty, and the truth they
expressed was so evident, that the Cap
tain did as commanded. He passed the
trumpet to The trapper and started aft,
where his presence and words soon com
municated new hope to the terrified
throng.
In few moments the shouting and
screaming ceased, and not sound was
heard save the roar of the wind, and the
waves, and the flames.
" Henry" said the trapper, its time
We be going, for the fire be gettin' hot.
It's not likely that me and the lad will
come out O this, and there sartinly ISM