Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-08

time for leave-takin'. Yell 90, know
aud get the pups. and the rifle, and III,
fiddle. Ye know where they be. And i
there be any other things in the shanty Y,
would like, remember they are yourn
This sartinly isn't The way thought thing
would eend. but the Lord knows when Il
call, and | daresay it's best as it is. So
boy, jest take my hand mint. and ther
go. Ye be faithful and true, and may yeI
days be happy and yer life long on the
arlh."
II am not going, John Norton sale
the young man.
at be well said, boy" returned the
trapper. "Yis. it be well said; or would
be if things was different. But things be
as they be. and ye must GO
II shall not CO." said Herbert.
Henry - exclaimed the old man ear
nestly. "this is downright foolishness. Ye
can't help us by stayin'; and two'll be
enough it wust comes to wust."
John Norton" returned the young
man solemnly, "say no more. shall
stay with you and the lad. If we live, all
will live. If we die, we will die together,
for will not leave you"
.Be it as you say then, boy: yis, let il
be as We say. This is no time for words ;
and can understand yer feelin's; and it
may be that we be right. The lad and we
met at the pond of the beavers. and it may
be best that we both go with him TO the
end of the trail"
In a moment the old man said suddenly /:
Henry, if ye could get one of them
water pipes, and the pump are still a-goin'
it may be ye could save our lives. But
be careful where ye go, boy, for it's hot
there aheadn
Lightning is scare quicker than the
movements of Herbert, as he darted
forward into the smoke, which was roll
ing up in great volumes from the front
part of the boat.
BY this time the forward part of the
vessel was almost one sheet of flame. a
column of fire rose out of the forward
hatch fifty feet into the air. but was mer-
cifully blown onward by the force of the
gale. From this the trapper and the lad
were at least safe, but the flames were
now breaking over all restraint. The deck
itself vas now being burnt through. and
sections were falling into the hold. The
stanchions and timbers OF the bulwarks
were already in fnll blaze. The outer
edges of the upper deck were girdled
with fire. The roof of the pilol-house
had begun to kindle. The flames were
already eating their way toward the stern
and would be in the rear OF the two men
who were standing half hidden in smoke
at point which would soon be the very
center of the con1agration. But they
never 0inched. They stood in the exact
position where they were when Henry
left them; the trapper still holding the
trumpet in his hand, and the lad still gaz-
ing steadiastly ahead.
Tell them to port two points," said
the lad, quietly.
The old man placed the trumpet to his
lips. and through the brazen tube his
voice poured steady and strong
"lhe boy says, Tell 'em to port two
pints.'"
The vessel swayed suddenly to port !;
and as she lcapt away the lad said -
Tell them to hold her steady as she is. :"
Again the old man lifted the trumpet,
and called -
1.-The boy says, Tell them to hold her
steady as she is
For a minute not word was spoken.
The steamer tore on through the gloom,
lightning her path with the flames. The
roof OF the pilot-house dropped in, and
the smoke and cinders hid the two men
from the sight of those who. with prayers
on their lips and with agonized faces,
were gazing at them from behind.
Suddenly out of the smoke aud fire
came the tones of the trumpet
1.-The lad says. Tell 'em | hear the
surf on the beach,
Then the smoke suddenly lifted, split
by gust OF wind that tore through the
air, and those behind saw three men in
stead of two standing on the deck. The
trapper and the lad still at their station,
and thirty feet farther aft stood Herbert,
hose 10 hand. flooding with water the
blazing deck on which they stood. But
what could the power of man do against
the rush of such hames3 The young
man did his best With hands blistered
by the awful heat he stood heroically at
his post; but the garments of the lad were
on fire, and the hair of the trapper was
burned to the scalp.
Suddenly the starboard half OF the up
per deck fell with a crash. As it fell.
those behind saw the lad turn to the trap
per,-saw him totter-saw him steady
his companion catch him by
the arm-saw the old hero, with the
sleeve OF his coat. that was itself smok-
ing, wipe the cinders from his lips as he
lifted the trumpet to his mouth; and out
OF the black, eddying smoke as it swept
over the three and hid them from sight,
beloved the words strong as the trumpet
could send them -
1.-The lad says. Tell them see the surf
on the beach Hold her steady as che is =
Cod"
The sentence was never completed.
The fiat bottom of the vessel touched the
sand-slid along it--and was driven by
the momentum OF her movement half her
length up the beach. Then she rolled
over with great lurch; her smoke stacks
went down with crash, carrying the up
per deck on which they stood with them,
and the three men sank from sight in the
ar, Ia nj