The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-12-31

/
ing shrieks for help.
Fire fire. fire !"
Aye there was no mistake about it,
nor false alarm. No one could tell how
it had commenced, but there it was
creeping along the roof of the upper
cabin, with the deadly flames greedily
tapping up every scrap Of awning and
curtain they could find upon their way,
ever and anon darting long tongues Of
fame down to the floor to clasp the light
chairs and tables and settees in their fiery
embrace.
AS well seek with sieve to scoop up
the waters Of the great river on which
the Mobilia fionted, as to try to subdue
the roaring, devouring enemy that had
seized upon the ill-fated steamer.
The people darted down from the
blazing upper cabin to the forward deck
below, where as yet the foe had made
hut little headway, and there our brave
Captain-who was that rara avis "the
right man in the right place sue
ceeded in partially quelling the panic.
Keep quiet !" he ordered" keep
quiet, and stay just where You are, or I
will not answer for the lives Of any OF
you The steward will provide every
one Of you with ifs-preservers but
there is no reason for any person to go
overheard not yet awhile, at any rate,
unless suicide is desired. Keep quiet.
sayl Pilot, head her straight for the
land, half mile ahead" eve were at
least twice that distance from the main
land on either shore.) Engineer, put
on all steam--crowd her on We will
run race with the foul iend who has
boarded the Mobila.
There was an instant's pause, and
then, with q groan and a surge, with
the timbers crealzing and straining, and
the windows rattling as though in mortal
terror, the Mobilia gathered herself up
to run her last race.
Each passing moment the flames crept
on and on and on, never pausing in their
terrible march. Fortunately, they leaped
upward rather than downward, so that
there was as yet but little danger to the
panic-stricken crowd on the lower deck.
But the pilot-house was directly in the
track Of the flames, and already their
advance guard was beginning to sur
round me, singeing my hair and eye
| prows.
Suddenly there was murmur among
the people below, and the next instant q
light form flew up the ladder leading to
the little deck by the pilot-house, and,
before 1 could say a word, my precious
Mollie had thrown open the door, and
closing it again, stood at my side.
"Mollie, Mollie i" cried. Fol
heavens sake go back, go back Dom
Il L. a., n
ward us here? Go, go, my dearest, ny
own true wife Don't unman me b.
making me fear for you. Go dow
where can feel that you have chance
Of safety"
"Rob Thorne !" she exclaimed, Will
her eyes looking bravely straight int
mine, cam your wife 2
"Surely, surely, thank God " ! ut
tered. "But go. gol
"My post is here, just as much q
yours is, she answered, firmly. +" vii
stay here, Rob, and if you die, / will die
too. We will make our wedding tril
together, my dear husband, even if it b
into the next world. Keep to your duty
and never mind me, Rob. There is hope
Cor us vet, and, if il comes to the worst,
whym-and brave, sweet smile crep'
round her lips-"we are still togetheri
dear love 2 --...----.-.-------,----.--,-..-.
/ saw it was of no use to urge her any
more, and, besides, something swellee
in nv throat so that I could not utter
word. SO Just gripped the wheel hard
, and looked right ahead, though every
thing looked very dim just then, and m.
J devoted darling stood calmly at my SIDE
| watching the flames that were creep!nl
i closer and closer upon us, leaplnl
around the pilot-house like hungry de
, mons impatient for their prey.
"Thorne," shouted the Captain
; /" come down. Lower her and yoursel
over the rail. Well catch you. Yol
t cannot stay there any longer. We ar
4 very near the shore now, and the res
| we'll take our chances fol"
It was an awful temptation. I kne'
4 that. did follow the Captains advice
both MoIlie and would be safe, Tor
q was good swimmer, and, should IN
e boat not reach the shore, l could say
!, her and myself but then, if l did TIM
9 would l not deliberately expose ever
/, one of the 300 souls on board to destrn'
k ton? True, the boat might keep to h'
d course during the short space remainln
/ to be passed, merely from the rapid IN n
b petus Of her approach; /; but, again, 81
: might not-and then? :,
Q looked at my dear wife inquiringil
"Stick to your post, Rob = she sal
t "No. sir y I shouted back . shs
e stick to my post shall stay here tlll
/, run her clear on the shore, or die flrst
: "My brave Rob-my noble Rob
; murmured Mollie.
= But alas for my devoted Molliel al
/ for me! Not the pilot-house only, b
the entire deck around it was now 81
lie rounded by flames. 1t was too late
] lower ourselves,to the deck below L
~ railing was all ablaze. :,
r NV arms, released from their guar
at anship over the wheel, clasped Mol
re close to my heart ; but my eyes a
iy brain we're busy seeking for some me
AZ ascane from death that seemed ca