American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-03-12

of the finest of the beautiful 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 a
double cabin, one above the other; the
upper one opening upon a small deck,
reaching out toward the bow, near the
center of which, on a raised platform,
was placed the pilot house. This deck
was always occupied by passengers,
and this morning it was particularly
crowded. for the boat was heavily laden
with people taking advantage of the
beautiful weather to make an excursion
up the river.
Some rough fellows jostled against
Mollie's chair after a while, and she
rose and passed down into the lower
cabin, Ito get drink of water" she
whispered to me as she passed; but
suspect it was to prevent the bursting
of the thunder-cloud she saw gathering
on my brow.
saw that the insolent fellows made
no attempt to follow my dear one,
so l gave myself up to my own happy
thoughts, and looking out on the far
distant, peaceful shores of the great
were moving SO swiftly, there rose
/
rejoicing.
But suddenly cry broke from the
cabin behind me that effectually
changed the current of my thoughts:
Fire, fire! firer' A horrible cry at
all times, but most horrible of all when
it rings forth in the midst of gay, unsus-
picious hundreds floating in fanc;ed Sc
curity in the midst OF the waters.
| An instant's awe-struck silence suo-
ceeded that awful cry, and then 800
voices of men, women and children uni
| ted in fearful, heartrending shrieks for
help.
Fire! fire! frer'
Aye! there was no mistake about it,
nor false alarm. No one could tell how
it had commenced, but there it was
creeping along the roof of the upper
cabin. with the deadly flames greedily
curtain they could find upon their way,
ever and anon darting long tongues of
flames down to the floor to clasp the
light chairs and tables and settees in
their fiery embrace.
As well seek with sieve to scoop up
the waters of the great river on which
the Mobilia doated, as to try to sub
due the roaring, devouring enemy
that had seized upon the Inflated steam
er.
The people darted down from the
blazing upper cabin to the forward deck
below, where as vet the foe had made
bnt little Roadway, and there our brave
Captain-who was that rdrG dUis "the
right man in the right place sue
ceeded in partially quelling the panic.
keep quietr' he ordered-'.keep
quiet, and stay just where you are, or I
r. Al
you! The steward will provide every
one of you with life preservers; but
there is no reason for any person to go
overboard-not yet awhile, at any rate,
unless suicide is desired. Keep quiet,
l say! Pilot, head her straight for the
land, half mile ahead" eve were at
least twice tina. distance from the main
land on either shore. Engineer, put
on all steam-crowd her oni We will
run a race with the foul fiend who has
boarded the Mobilia-''
There was an instant'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 Mobilia gathered her
self up to run her last race.
Each passing moment the flames
crept on, and on and on, never pausing
in their terrible march. Fortunately,
they leaped upward rather than down
ward, so that there was as yet but little
danger to the panic-stricken crowd on
the lower deck.
But the pilot house was directly In
the track Of the flames, and already
their advance guard was beginning to
surround me, smuggling my hair and eye
brows.
Suddenly there was murmur among
the people below and the next instant
a light form flew up the ladder lead
ing to the little deck by the pilot
house. and before 1 could say word. |
my precious Mollie had thrown open
the door. and. closing it again, stood at
my side.
..Mollie, Mollier' I cried. For
heavens sake go back, 60 back! Don't |
you see how the flames are creeping to-
wards us herep Go. go. my dearest,
my own true wife! Don't unman me
by making me fear for you. Go down |
where l can feel that you have chance |
of safety"
"Rob Thorner' she exclaimed, with |
Am your wifeP''
''Surely, surely, thank Godr' Imut-
tered. .'But go. go!'
My post is here, just as much as
yours ISL she answered, firmly II
will stay here, Rob, and if you die, 1 |
will die, too. We will make our we'd
ding trip together, my dear husband,
even il it be into the next world. Keep
to your duty, and never mind me, Rob.
There is hope for us yet, and if it comes
to the worst, why''-and grave, sweet |
smile crept round her lips" we are
still together, dear love-"
saw it was no use to urge her any
more, and besides something swelled in
my throat, SO that l could not utter a
word, SO just gripped the wheel hard
and looked right ahead, though every
thing looked very dim just then, and my
devoted darling stood calmly at nv
hide, watching the flames that were
closer and closer upon us,
leaping around the pilot house like
hungry demons impatient for their
prey.
"Thorne," shouted the Captain,
). come down. Lower her and yourself
over the rail. Wen catch you. You
cannot stay there any longer. We are
Eery near the shore now, and the rest
we'll take our chances on"
1t was an awful temptation. knew
that, did I follow the Captains advice,
both MoEe and would be safe. for l
was good swimmer. and should the
boat not reach the snore, could save
her and myself; but then if l did this,
would not deliberately expose every
one OF the three hund-ed souls on board
10 destructionP True. the boat might
keep to her course during the short
pace remaining to be passed merely /
from the impetus of her approach, but !
in Al n irrhf nd |