American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-05-24

er-at home, alone, how dreadful III
would be for her; again, if she were in
the Hero, if a great danger came to
them, how might 1t fare with herP
These thoughts were flashing through
his mind when the tempest came in its
full fury. The boat was caught up from
its course as plaything is taken in the
hand of child, then dashed forward.
No sound was heard, no shrek nor cry,
nothing but the mad roar of the winds
and the terrible crashing of the thun-
der. Like some goaded, maddened
beast the Hero rocked, plunged and
leaped, its timbers crashing and break
ing, the foam rising in great sheets
above and about it. Then, it seemed
hardly moments time, the wind lull-
ed to calm, and instead of the hurri-
canes roar was heard the screaming OF
children, the grooming of strong men.
"The steamer is sinking-to the life
boats, quick! !" some one cried in loud
voice.
And then shrieks followed, and half
clad women and little children clinging
to their mothers breasts, their sweet
lips frozen with fear, men, helpless
with terror, rushed out of the cabin and
state rooms to the side of the sinking
steamer.
A few men, nerved with superhuman
energy, put out the boats and helped the
passengers into them. One man stood,
tall and strong above the rest, very
Samson in strength, the bravest among
the brave. Bruised and stunned by the
falling timbers, yet he had been the
first to rally the men to their duty; and
now be stood, drenched to the skin,
lifting women and children into the
boats.
They were all in at last and he stood
alone. "Come!" some one cried,
reaching up a hand to him; "there is
no time to lose. There is room enough
here"
"Are you sure that the boat will not
be over-burdenedP"
He spoke rapidly and in a low tone.
but from the boat below some one gave
out smothered cry. He had not time
to say more-a strong hand pulled him
forward and the next moment he was in
the heavily laden life-boat.
"Let US make for the Shore" one
man said.
"Move easy if you value our lives,'
answered another. "The boat is filled
to sinking"
Beyond this was silence. Now and
then the lightning flashed over
them, showing white faces, shivering
forms and figures crouched and trem.
bling with fear. In the end Of the boat
quite near the brave man who had fought
so gallantly to save them, a woman sat-
her hands clasped about the arm of 8
man whose face seemed shrunken and
aged with terror. Whatever there had
been of beauty in the regular, efeminate
features, it was gone now, leaving only
Sarah Vane, and the poor fear-jaded
creature beside her, for whom she had
deserted her husband. was George Way
"We shall sink if we go on in this
way. The boat can not carry this
load" some one said. SHOW many
men can swimP"
Swim? 1t would be death to try
it," was the answer.
"Then we shall all go down to
geuher." gv7Hgv
Sarah Vane turned to the man beside
her, unclasping her hands from his arm
as she did so.
"You can swim, George" she whis
pered in his ear.
" Hushi do you think that want t.
dep"
She shrank away from him, look O
supreme contempt sweeping over he
face. This was her hero, her God, theI
but the poorest of clay in time of need
She sprang to her feet. She, woman
would show him how to die. Before sh'
could speak her husbands voice sound
ed, striking down upon her heart full o
its old music. B
81 will try swimming, gentlemen,
he said. 9- s @
The wife caught his hands in hers. Z"
will go with you Harry"
He tried to put her away, but sh'
chung to him with desperation.
81 am not coward, whatever else
am," she whispered. Sc For heaven
sake. let me redeem myself"
He wound his arms about her an,
held her passionately to his breast. 4
flash Of lightning revealed them for
second as they stood there clasped ii
each others embrace; then, without
word they went over the boats side to
gether.
All in the lifc-boat were saved-an,
they persisted.
Fun for All Concerned.