Cheyenne transporter. [volume] (Darlington, Indian Terr.) 1879-1886, 1881-01-10


Fortunately they leaped upward rather
than downward, SO that there was as
yet but little danger to the panic-strick-
en- 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, singeing my hair and
eyebrows.
Suddenly there was amumur among
the crowd below, and the next instant
a little form flew up the ladder leading
to the little deck by the pilot house.
and before | could say word my pre-
cious MOllie had thrown open the door.
and, closing it again, stood at my side.
"Mollie! Mollie!' | cried. "For
heavens sake go back, go back! Don't
you see how the flames are creeping to-
ward us here? Go, 90, my dearest, my
own true wife, Don't mman me
by making me fear for you! Go down
where | can feel you have chance of
safety
"Rob Thorn she exclaimed, with
her eyes looking brayely straight into
mine, 81 am your wife,"
Surely, surely, thank God~ / utter
ed. But go, gor'
"My post is here just as much as
yours is" she answered firmly II will |
stay here. Rob, 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, ana never mind me, Rob. There
is hope for us yet, and if it comes to the
worst, why'-and a brave smile crept
over her lips-"we are still together.
dear love"
L saw it was no use to urge her anv
more, and besides something swelled in
my throat so that could not utter
word, SO | just gripped the wheel
harder and looked right ahead though
looked very dim just then.
and my devoted darling stood calmly at
my side, watching the flames, which
were creeping closer and closer upon us
leaping around the pilot-house like
hungry demons impatient for their
prey.
Thorn" shouted the captain, "come
Town! Lower yourself and her over
.he rail. Wen catch you. You cannot {
stop there any longer. We are very ;
near the shore now, and the rest we
will take our chances for" t
1t was an awful temptation. | knew (;
hat did follow the captains advice.
10Th Mollie and / would be safe. for | {
vas good swimmer, and should the Z
'oat not reach the shore | could save l
Ter and myself; but then if | did this
would | not deliberately expose every '
ne of the three hundred souls on {
'oard to destruction? True the boat /
night keep on her course during the Z
hort space remaining to be passed, l
lerely from the rapid impetus of her c
pproach; but, again, she might not O
nd then? V
looked at my dear wife inquiringly. i
'Stick to your post, Rob" she said. $
"NO, SIR l shouted back; 81 shall 7
lick to my post; | shall stay here till
run her clear on the shore, or die
rstw v
my brave Rob-my noble Rob" u -
Mollie. ,
But alas for my devoted Mollie alas :
'r Inc! Not the pilot-house only, but y y
he entire deck around it, was now =
by flames. 1t was too late .
} lower ourselves to the deck below. II II
he railing was all ablaze. y =
My arms, released from their guar =,
lanship over the wheel, clasped Mollie n
ose to my heart; but my eyes and Fl
rain were busy seeking for some mode y,
escape from death that seemed each "
lstant more certain. :,
All at once my eyes rested on the mad N