Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-02-19


MS safety was endangered by his pres
! ence Oh board, he would not scruple to
take her life. We, however, kept on
and reached the river AZ last, and while
my companion went 10 telegraph to s.
for the steamer "North- Vest (which we
knew was there) TO start in the search.
| got on board a tug, and explaining
matters to its captain, we Mt once start
ed IN pursuit. The captain appreciated
the horrible situation and | venture to
say that quicker time was never made
by that boat. We passed the dredge
| and lett the boat we had borrowed with
out even slackening speed. We could
now see our party on the pier at the
lighthouse and passed them in a few
minutes without exchanging word.
Every one knew our errand without
asking, and with ANXIOUS faces they
watched us as we swiftly followed the
direction taken by the missing boat. |
MAS in The pilot-house, with the cap
taln's telescope, eagerly searching for II
glimpse of the steamer, and terribly
afraid that night wou.u come on before
we found it. On We went, mile after
mile, keeping near the middle Of the
bay so that we could see both shores
and be sure and not pass the runaway.
My heart was heavy Us the darkness
came slowly, but surely on, and nothing
like the steamer had been seen. | cal
culated that the "North- Vest" would be
with us before dark, if she had started
on receipt of our telegram. Nothing
could be seen of her, however, and |
was beginning to think we had better
lie still until morning or we might pass
the little steamer that Mollie was on
board of and thus lose her, for was
confident we could not be far from her
now. The thought was terrible to me
and | expect | raved not little. 1t
was now nearly nine o'clock and would
soon be dark With sinking heart, |
made up my mind to keep on ten min
utes longer and then anchor for the
night. We knew the runaway boat had
not fuel enough to run much longer
than the time they had been gone, SO
were confident that as soon as morning
broke we should be able to see her. In
a few minutes alter told the captain
my plan, he snatched the glass out Of
my hands and directing it little TO our
right, looked intentlv few minutes.
"By-- there she is" he said. look
ed and surely it was the steamer; three
or four miles off yet, but it was I'M
doubleday she. No smoke was coming
from her funnel, and, as far as we could
tell in the darkness, the row-boat she
had in tow was gone. My Godl what
had happened? Had he murdered Mol
lie and then deserted the steamer? Had
he taken her with him to prevent her
from directing his pursuers? or was the
villain still on board and prepared to
give us a warm reception? These
thoughts and thousands of others passed
through my brain during the half hour
before we reached the Osprey. Nothing
would prevent me from boarding her
the moment such thing was possible,
though Captain Webb advised me to be
cautious, as the fellow might fire at me
and do me injury that might prevent
my getting Mollie out of danger as well
as help me into it. He acceded to my
wishes, however, and ran the tug right
alongside. l jumped aboard, rushed
down into the little cabin, and there
on the floor, in one corner, sobblng
as if her heart would break, was
poor Mollie, The rest of it is
your story, Mollie." continued
Mr.. Bennett, after pause. Il declare,
| did not suppose that simply telling
about it would get me so worked up.
never shall forget what load was lifted
from my heart when | saw you there,
safe and sound, though somewhat de-
moralized by fright"
eyes" said Mrs. Bennett, who had
been an attentive listener to her hus-
bands vivid description, Erred didn't
tell quite all of his. part; at least, if |
remember rightly, he was quite extrav-
agant in his expressions of joy at find
ing me, and nearl y annihilated me with
his demonstrations of affection. My
part of the story is not very interest
ing" she continued, "but as you seem
to be good listeners, | will tell it. Mr..
Bennett had scarcely left me when the
boat started. | thought first that by
some accident the steam had been
turned ON. / was thinking of making
a heorine of myself, stopping it with
great presence Of mind and SO on, like
the brave girls in books. was not
frightened much then, and crawed out
of the cabin to see what | could do.
My knowledge of machinery is very
limited, and / made my way toward the
forward part of the boat, having an in
distinct idea that the big wheel in the
pilot-house Il found it was the pilot
house afterward) would some how stop
the engine if turned the right way. For
tunateIy, | made no noise. and APP
preached slowly, as it was q difficult
matter for me to get about, there were
so many little obstacles and turns to
make, and tried several ways before