The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-07-23

had commenced, but there It was, creeping
along the roof of the upper cabin, with
the deadly flames greedily tapping up ev-
cry awning and curtain they could find
upon their way, ever and anon darting
long tongues of fame down to the floor,
to clasp in the light chairs, and tables and
settees in their fiery embrace.
The people darted down from the blaz
ing upper cabin to the forward deck below,
where as yet the foe had made but little
headway, and there our brave captain
who was that rara aris, the right man IN
the right plaee-sueceeded in partially
quelling the panic.
keep quietw he ordered-'keep quiet
aud stay just where you are, or | will not
answer for the lives of any Of you. The
stewart will provide every one Of you with
/ life preservers but there is no reason for
any person to go overheard yet awhile, at
any rate unless suicide is desired. Keep
quiet, l say Screaming won't frighten
the fire away. Pilot, head her straight
for the island half mile ahead. We
were at least twice that distance from the
mainland on either shore.) Engineer, put
on all steam-crowd her on. We will run
a race with the foul fend that has boarded
4 the Mobilia.
There was an instant's pause, aud then,
with groan aud a surge, with the timbers
creakiug and siraining, and the windows
I rattliug as though in mortal terror, the
Mobilia gathered henelf up to run her
\ last race.
Each passing moment the flames crept
on and on, never pausing 10 their terrible
march. Fortunately, they leaped upward
rather than downward, so that there was
as vet but little danger to the panic-strick-
en- crowd on the lower deck.
But the pilot-house was directly In the
I track Of the flames, and already their ad-
vance-guard was beginning to surround
me, singeing my hair and eyebrows
| Suddenly there was a murmur among
/ the people below, and the next instant
/ light form few up the ladder leading 70
the deck by the pilot house, and before /
could utter a word, my precious Moliie
had thrown open the door, aud closing 1t
again. stood at my side.
"Mollie, Mollie, | cried, for heaven
sake, 90 back, 20 back Don't yoa see
how the flames are creeping toward Us
here? Go on, my dearest, my own true
wife. Don't unmau me By making me
fear for you. Go down where | can feel
I that YOU have a chance for safety.
Rob Thorpe, she exclaimed, With her
ewes looking bravely, right into mine, ''atn
1 | your wife p
surely, surely, thank God :" | uttered.
.But 20, GO
"My post Is here, Just as much as yours
/ is she answered firmly. Il will stay
/ here, Rob, aud if you die, will die, too.
I We will make our wedding trip together,
nv husband, even If it be into the next
world. Keep to your duty, aud don't
mind me, Rob. There Is hope for Us yet,
aud if il comes to the wors', why-and
brave, sweet smile ercpt rouud her lips
We are s,iil together, dear love
[ saw il was of 10 use to urge her auy
more, and besides something swclled ID
nv throat 80 that could not utter word.
50 | just gripped the wheel hard aud look
ed right ahead, though everything looked
very dim just thea, aud my devoted dAf-
I liHs stood calmly at my side, watching the
/ flames that we're creeping closer aud closer
upoa Us, leaping around the pilot-house
I Ike hungry demons impatient Of their
pray.
Thorpe r shouted the captain, 'eome
down. Lover her aud yourself over the
rail. Wen catch you. You cannot stay
there any longer. We are very rear the
shore now, and the rest we'li take our
chances for.
Il was an awful temptation. | kaeE
tha, did | follow the captain advise, both
Mollie aud / would be safe, for | was
coed swimmer, aud should the beat not
reach the shore, / could save her aud ny,
self: but then, if | did this, would ! not
deliberately expose every one Of the three
hundred souls on board 10 destruction
True, the boat might keep her course dur.
ing the short space remaining to be passed
merely from the rapid impetus Of her aP
proaeh but again she might no;-and
then
looked at my wife inquiringIy.
"Stick to your post, Rob, she said.
ssNo, sir, | shouted back Il shall
stick to my post l shall stay here till |
run her on the shore, or die first
"My brave Rob-my noble Rob, mar-
INJURED Mollie
At last, Just as the glowing tongues Of
fame began to reach ia through the via,
dow, a crash and shiver passed from
stem to stern Of the noble steamer, and
with sharp quiyer aud shake, her bow
ran high upon the shelving beach and in
less time than it takes to tell every man,
woman and child sprang from the heated
decks and were saved.
But alas for my devoted Mollie alas
for me Not the pilot-honse only, but the
entire deck around il was now surrounded
by flames. 1t was too late 10 lover our
selves to the deck below The railing was
all ablaze.
NY arms, released from their guardian
ship over the wheel, elasped Mollie close
to my heart bat my eyes and braia were
busy seeking for some mode of escape from
the death that seemed each instant more
certain.
AL at once my gaze rested 90 the pad
dle-box Il had not taken fire yet, the
flying spray had saved it, had only to
dash across the Aame,swept deck aud fling
opeu a li,tle door in its side, which at
forded ready access to the wheels, to lower
my precious charge to the water beneath
in safety.
No sooner thought of than done.
nTake my hand, Mollie, | said, and run
with me. We shall te saved, after all
Wrap your shawl over your mouth. Now,
now-run r.
Leaping down on the deck, we sped,
hand in hand, to the paddle-box. | dash
ed open the little door, and, pushing Mol
/ lie inside, passed in myself and drew the
door close again, thus shutting out the ca
ger flames, whose angry roar pursued US,
as we dropped gently down into the shall
low water and crept out from behind the
wheel.
Our appearance was hailed with a shout
of delight and relief, for all had given US
up as lost, aRd we must have been but for
the heaven inspired thought Of the wheel
house.
Now that the danger was over, poor lit
tie Mollie tainted and no wonder. But
she soon came out all right, and as the