The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-03-30

emy that had seized upon the ill-iat-
ed steamer.
The people darted down from the
blazing, 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 avis, "the right man in the right
placer-succeeded in partially quell-
ing the panic.
Keep quiet" he ordered, keep
quiet. and stay where you are, or /
will not answer for the lives OF any
of YOU. The steward will provide
every one Of YOU with life preservers,
but there is no reason for anyone TO
90 overboard-rot yet awhile, at
any rate, unless suicide is desired.
Keep quiet, / say. Pilot, head her
straight for the land, half mile
ahead" We were at least twice that
distance from the shore. Engineer,
put on all steam-crowd her on =
I'VE will run race with the foul
fiend who has boarded the Mo-
bilia.n
There was an instan's pause, and
then. with a groan and a surge, with
the timbers creaking and straining,
and the windows rattling, and, as
though in mortal terror. the Mo
billia gathered herself up to run her
last race.
Each passing moment the flames
crept on and on, never pausing IN
their terrible march. Fortunately
they leaped upward rather than
downward, SO there was as yet but
little danger of the the panic-strlck-
en- crowd on the lower deck.
But the pilot house was directly
in the track of the flames, and al
ready their advanced guard was be-
ginning TO surround me, singing my
hair and eyebrows.
Suddenly there was a murmur
among the people below, and the
next instanta light form few up
the ladder leading to the little deck
by the pilot house, aud, before |
could say a word, my precious Mol
lie had thrown open the door, and
closing it again, stood by my side.
rMoilie, Mollie.." | cried. For
heavens sake, go back, 90 back
Don't YOU see how the flames are
creeping towards US here ? Go, go,
nv dearest, my own true wife
Don't unman me by making me
fear for you. Go down where |
can feel that you have a chance of
safety"
Rob Thorne!'' she exclaimed,
with her eyes looking straight into
mine. "Am your wife ?"
Surely, surely, thank God y l
muttered. But 90, 20 r
MY post is here, just as asyoursis, "
she answered, firmly. Il Will stay
here, Rob, and if you die viii die,
too. We viii 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
a grave, sweet smile crept round her
lips-"we are still together, dear
love-"
| saw it was no use urging her
ANYMORE. and besides something
swelled in my throat, 50 | just grip
ped the wheel hard and looked
right ahead, though everything look
ed dim just then, and my devoted
darling stood calmly at my side,
watching the flames that were creep
ing closer and closer upon Us, leap
ing around the pilot house like hun
cry demons impatient Tor theil
prey.
"Thorne," cried the captain, ,"eome
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 well take our chances On.
1t was an awful temptation. !
knew that did | follow the captain 5
advice both Mollie and | would be
safe. for | was good swimmer, and,
should the boat not reach the shore,
/ could save her and myself; but
then if | did this would | not delib-
erately expose every one OF the eight
hundred souls on board to destruc-
tion True, the boat might keep to
her course during the short space
remaining to be passed merely from
the impetus of her approach, but
again she might not-and the ?
| looked at my dear wife inquir-
ingly stick to your post, Rob,
she said.
mo, sir y / shouted back. Il
shall stick to my post; shall stay
here till | run her clear TO the shore
or die first"
"My brave Rob-my noble Bob r
murmured Mollie.
But alas for my devoted Moliie
alas for me Not the pilot house on
" but the entire deck around it was
now surrounded by flames. 1t was
too late to lower ourselves to the
deck below, The railing was all
ablaze.
Nv arms, released fsom the guar
diansnip over the wheel, olasped
Mollie close to my heart T; but my
ewes and brain were busy seeking
for some mode of escape from death
that seemed each instant more GER
tain.
All at once my eyes rested Oh the
paddlebox. 1t had not taken fire
vet the flying spray had saved it.
| had only to dash across the fame
swept deck and fling open little
door in its side, which afforded
ready access to the water beneath in
safety. No sooner thought Of than
done.
"Take my hand, Mollie," / said,
and run with me. We shall be saw
ed, after all. Wrap your shawl across
your mouth. Now, run-run.F
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