Smyrna times., 1881-04-06
united IN fearful, heartrending shrieks Tor

commenced, hut there it was creeping
along the roof Of the upper cabin, with the
deadly flames grerdily tapping up every
rap of awning and curtain they could
hind upon their way, ever and anon aarting
long tongues Of q ,mPs down to the floor to
clasp the light chairs aud tables and srttees
in their fiery embrace.
As well seek with n sieve to SCOOP up the
waters of the great river on which the Mo
6ifa h"atetl. rs to try to Auhdue the roaring,
dev"uring enemy that had seized u~on the
i'll fatpd steamer.
The people dart"d down Fl ON the blazing
upper cabin to the forward deck Inflow,
where yet the foe had made hut little
hehlway. and there our brave raptain--wh0
was that rdrs ociS 1.-THE right ma, in the
right place in partially qusl'
ling the panic.
Keep quiet = he ordered "keep quiet,
and stay just where you are, or ! will moi
answer for the lives Of amy Of you The
steward will provide every one OF y"u with
LIE l'rFSPrvrrs; hut there is no reason for
any /" rs"n To =" overLoard-not yet awhile,
at any rate, unless ruicidp ID desired Keep
quiet, say Pilot, head her straight for
the lanl, halt mile ahead" We were ~
lrhst twice that distance from the mainland
on either shore. Engineer. put on all
>t-am-crowd her on! We will run race
with the f"ul ftnd who has boarded the
Ho6tiia."
There was an instant's pause, and then,
| with srOan and surg, with the timbrrs
creaking and str"ining, and the Windows
rattlins. and a. though in mortal terror.
the .NotiHa gathered hers, If up to run her
last race.
! Each passing moment the A ,meS crapt on
meyer Iau>ing in their terrible march,
Fortunately, they lraprd upward rather
than downward, 30 that there was as yet
tut little danger to the panic stricken
crowd nn the lower deck.
But the pilot house was directly in the
track of the q ,mes, and already their ad.
vance guard was beginning to surround
ne. smuggling my hair and eyebrows.
Suddenly there was a murmur among
the people below, aud the next instant n
light form few up the ladder leading to
the little deck by tn" pilot house, and he
fore ! coul say word, my precious N"llie
had thrown open the door, and closing ii
again. stood at my side.
"Mnllle. MnlIl+I' cried. For hea.
VEINS sake, go back, go ba, k ! Don't you
see how the flames are creeping towards Us
here2 Go, g", nay draiest, my own true
wife D'n't unman me 10y making nae tear
for you. Go down where can feel that
you have chance for safety"
"BIL!" she exclaimed, with her bright
ryes looking straight into mine, lam
your wife p
"Surrly, surely. thank Godr' mutter
ell. " But 60, gOr'
! My post is here. just as much as your,
is" she answered firmly. ~ will stay
, here, Bob, and il you die. will die, too
! W. will make our wedding trip together
: my dear husband, even if it he into th.
next world. Keep to your duty. and nev4l
mind me, BIB. There is hope for US yet
and il itComrs I" the worst. why"-and
grave sweet smile crePt round her lips
1--WE are still together, dear loye."
4 saw it Was no use to urge her any more
5 and hrsi%eS something swell+d in "a,
!. throat, so that could not utter n word, g,
just pripped the wheel hard and locke,
D right ahead, though everything looke'
very aim just then, and my devoted dar
ling stood calmly at my side, watching TIA
2 d 'mrs that were creepin. closer ard CLOSE
upon Us. lPsping around the pilot hOus
i Ink" hungry demons impatient for th+i
=. prey.
q " rh"rne," shouted the captain, ICON
down Lower her and yourself over the raj
e We'd CATCH you. Y..u cannot stay thpt
amy longer. We are very near the shsl
q on"
q" 1t was an awful temptation. ] kna'
s that, did ] fellow the captains advie,
y both M"lli~ aud ! would b. safe, for wa
e reach the shore, I could save her and nv,
Ia self hut then If did this, would | nt
le deliberately expose every one OF the thrs
II, hundred snuls ON board TO destruction
II True, the boat might keep in her cour'
during the short space remaining to
l.. passed merely from the impetus of her a
~ preach, but again she might not-an
at then?
h. looked at my dear wife inquiringly.
at "SIick To your post, Bot she sand.
ny mo, sir" ] shouted back. - shs
IT. stick to my post; I shall stay here ill
ly run her clear on the shore or die frat T.
p my brave Bob, my noble Bob r. mu
up Injured Nellie.
But alas tor my devoted Mollie alas
ii mri Not the pilot house only hut the e
nj tire deck around it was surrounded
ut flames. II was too late TO lower ourselv
NJ to the deck below. The railing was .
Mt ablaze.
sw My arms, released from their guariia
ship over the wheel, ciasped MoIlie close
ne my heart; hut my eyes and brain we
W busy seeking for some msde of escape fro
ad death that seemed each instant mere &C
Tul tain. .at rte!gae.
id All at once my eyes rested on the pa
zee dle.hox. Il had not taken FIRE yet; II
re. flying spray had saved il. | had only
dash across the AAme.swrpt deck and Hii