Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-04-21
vance guard was beginning to surround

Suddenly there was a murmur among
the people below, and the next instant
light form flew up the ladder leading to
the littlesdeck by the pilot house and, be-
fore could say word, my precious Mol
lie had opened the door, and closing it
again, stood at my side.
"Mollie, Molliel'' cried. "For Heav-
ems sake, go back, go back Don't you
see how the flames are creeping towards
us here Go back, my dearest, my own
true wife. Don't unman me by making
me fear for you. TO down where | can
feel that you have chance of safety
"Rob Thorne p she exclaimed, with
her eyes looking straight into mine, "Am
your wife ~
"Surely, surely, thank God !" | NUT
tered. But go, got"
MY post is here, just as yours is, she
answered firmly. II will stay here, Rob,
aud if you die | will die, too. We will
make our wedding trip together, my dear
husband, even if it be into the next world.
Keep to your duty, and never mind me,
Rob. There is hope for US yet, and if the
worst comes, why'-and grave, sweet
smile crept around her lips--'we are still
together, dear love-"
saw it was no use OF urging her any
more, and beside, something swelled in
my throat, so | just gripped the wheel
hard and looked right ahead, though
everything looked very dim just then, and
my devoted darling stood calmly at my
side, watching the flames that were creep
ing closer and closer upon us, leaping
around the pilot house like hungry de-
mons impatient for their prey.
''Thorne,' shouted the captain, 'come
down. Lower her and yourself over the
rail. Well catch you. You cannot stay
there any longer. We are very near the
shore now, and the rest We'll take our
chances on"
1t was an awful temptation. knew
that did | follow the captain $ advice both
Mollie and would be safe, for | was
good swimmer, and should the boat not
reach the shore, could save her and my
self but then if | did this would not
deliberately expose every one OF the 300
souls on board to destruction True, the
| boat might keep her course during the
short space remaining to be passed merely
| from the impetus of her approach, but
| again she might not-and then
looked at my dear wife inquiringly.
=" Stick to your post, Rob !" she said.
| NO, sir ~ | shouted back. Il shall
stick to my post; shall stay here till |
| run her clear on the shore or die first ~
my brave Rob-my noble Rob ~ muir
INJURED Mollie.
| But alas for my devoted Mollie alas
| for me Not the pilot house only but the
| entire deck around it was now surrounded
| by flames. 1t was too late to lower our.
| selves to the deck below. The railing was
all ablaze.
My arms, released from the guardian
ship over the wheel, clasped Mollie close
to my heart, but my eyes and brain were
busy seeking for some mode of escape
from death that seemed each instant more
certain.
All at once my eyes rested on the pad
dle-bOx. 1t had not taken fire yet the
flying spray had saved it. had only to
dash across to the water beneath in safety.
No sooner thought than done.
Take my hand, Mollie,' said, "and
run with me. We shall be saved after all
Wrap your shawl across your mouth.
Now, now-run !"
Leaping down on the deck, we sped,
hand in hand, to the paddle-box.
dashed open the little door, and pushing
Mollie inside, passed in myself and drew
the door close again, shutting out the
eager flames, whose angry roar pursued
us as We dropped gently down into the
shallow water and crept from beneath the
| wheel.
Our appearance was hailed with shout
of delight and relief, for all had given u.
up as lost and We must have been, but
; for the heaven-inspired thought OF thu
, wheel-house.
Now that the danger was over poor lit
tie Mollie tainted, and no wonder. Blu
she soon came out all right, and as tn,
people began to lind out that the bray,
little girl, as they called her, was really
bride of only a few hours, and that W,
We're On our wedding trip, there was ,
regular ovation, followed up by nine deaf.
ening cheers.
The island upon which the .HoJlia haC
> been beached was low, sandy and unin
} habited, altogether not an inviting plac
, for 300 people, without particle Of shell
ter, to pass half day upon; yet even il
D this plight there Were few grulnblers il
our midst.
. There was no room in our hearts TO
any feeling but that Of thankfulness 70
our preservation from fearful death; am
l
seemed small matter to wait patientl
for the coming of the relief boats that "
/. knew We're sure to arrive before man
+ hours went past.
Though many miles from any larg
. city, we knew that the burning steame
must have been seen from the farmhouse
e scattered sparsely along the river bank
9 and that from these notices of the isastt
h would he sent to the nearest town. An
50 it was. Before night-fall several SINAI
i steamboats, arrived, and after that but
y few hours elapsed before we found on
h selves safely at home and our adventuI
e Gus wedding trip at an end.
h But the results were not ended by an
@ means. The terrible nervous state ha
II endured, combined with the severe burr
1t on my face and hands, threw me pro
l. trate on a bed of sickness.
When was able to report for dut
a again, two weeks latter, | learned that
lie noble gift from the .Hobiiia's grateful pa
!, sengers-no less a sum than S2,O00-la
10 in the bank awaiting my order. Not onl
Is this, but the steamboat company ha
Is voted me a gold medal and the appoin
d ment of pilot Of the finest steamer on the
l. line.
h Years have gone by since my bra,
II wife and had so nearly journeyed out
lie the world on our wedding trip. From !
lot | have come to he captain and pa
st owner of one of those beautiful foatiI
lie palaces that used so to excite my env
n, but never do pass without sickenir
ID shudder the little island where the "
rs b,Itd won the last race-race of fire again
er steam, of life against death.