Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1881-01-10
"Why so 2" she asked.

just 90 up the river instead Of TO the
cave. Drive on, Rob let us 90 down
to the wharf in state
"But you can't go in the pilot house
with me, little goose"
"Of course not; but / can sit on the
deck outside" said Mollie, and we can
cast loving glances at each other.
And so it came to pass that | took
possession Of the Mobilia's pilot-house
my heart glowing with love and pride
with love, for there, just below me
on the little forward deck, sat my sweet
bride; with pride, because the Mobilia
was one OF the finest of the floating
palaces of the Mississippi, and to pilot
such a one had for years been the
height OF my ambition.
The steamer was fitted up with n
double cabin, one above the other. the
upper one opening upon small deck.
reaching out toward the bow. near the
center OF which, on raised platform.
was placed the pilot house.
The deck was always occupied bv
passengers, and this morning it was
particularly crowded, for the boat was
heavily laden with people, taking adj
vantage of the beautiful weather to
make an excursion up the river.
Some rough fellows jostled against
Mollie's chair, after awhile, and she
rose, and passed down into the lower
cabin, "to get drink of water" she
whispered to me as she passed. but
suspect it was to prevent the bursting
of thunder-cloud she saw gathering
on my brow.
saw the insolent fellows made no
attempt to follow my dear one, so /
gave myself up to my own happy
thoughts, and, looking out on the far
distant, peaceful shores Of the great
river, over whose placid bottom we
were moving so swiftly, there rose
from my heart glad, silent hymn of |
rejoicing.
But, suddenly cry broke forth
from the cabin behind me, that effec-
tually changed the current of nv
thoughts:
Fire! fire! fire.
"A horrible cry at all times, but most
horrible of all things when it rings
forth in the midst of gay, unsuspicious
hundreds, floating in fancied security in
the midst of the waters.
a instants awe-struck silence sue
ceeded that awful cry, and then 300
voices of men, women and children
united in fearful, heart-rending shrieks
for help.
Fire! fire. fire."
Aye! there was no mistake about il.
nor false alarm. No onecould tell how '
1t commenced, but there it was creep {
ing along the roof of the upper cabin. ]
with the deadly flames greedily tapping /
1t every scrap of awning and curtain S
they could find upon their way, ever /
md anon darting long tongues Of flame 9
lown to the floor, to clasp the light q
chairs, and tables and settees in their
iery embrace.
AS well seek with a seive to scoop
up the waters Of the great river on s
which the Mobilia floated, as to try to |
stop the roaring, deyouring enemy that Fl
lad seized upon the ill-fated steamer.
The people darted down from the n
blazing upper cabin to the forward deck
below, where as yet the foe had made f
)ut little headway, and there our brave Z
was our rara avis, "the s
tight man in the right place" sue t
,eeded in partially quelling the panic. 1
"Keep quiet" he o.dered-"keep
luiet, and stay just where you are, or | d
will not answer for the lives of any of C
you. The steward will supply all of b
,ou with life-preservers but there is o
10 reason for any person to get over il
board yet awhile, at any rate unless