Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-11-28
ABridetor an Hour.
A Thrilling Story Of the Johns
town Disaster.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER vi.
THE RESCUE.


1t was not weakness, although Somers
had battled fifteen or twenty minutes in
the food, saving lives, and was almost
exhausted, nor any dread that made him
weep; he cried like q child because he
was powerless to help the hundreds of
human beings threatened with the most
horrible of deaths.
He was distraught with horror one mo-
ment. 1t was only when he looked down
and saw that he WIS clasping and un-
clasping his hands purposely that he
realized his condition.
Are we all going mad?" he asked a
man near him. The man shivared, and
turned his head aside.
Can nothing be done? is there no one
who can try to save some of those peo-
pleP Is there no way to get at them?
see the people in the boats. Why in the
name of heaven do they not go to their
aid?"
Then one man, big, muscular man
whose coat, vest and shirt was off, slowly
replied, IF we save ourselves we may
thank Godl"'
Now for the first time Somers suddenly
realized that half the men and women
around him had lost the greater part of
their clothing, and some were almost
naked. He looked wonderingly at him
self.
There was not a vestige of clothing up
on him.
Half the people in the yater were de-
nuded by the force of the current and
violent contact with floating debris.
Somers looked closely at the people in
attic. xu0 ha
knew.
Where were all the people who were
around him half an hour ago?
As Somers asked himself this ques-
ton, woman pointed to log that was
borne swiftly past, across which an old
man was lying. Half of his body was
out of water, his arms were extended,
lying helplessly on the log, and his head
rose and fell on the waters surface. His
hair was white; his eyes were closed,
seemingly in death. Half a dozen uttered
his name. Evidently he was we'll known
Then another old man came in view,
holding two children. Beside him was q
woman, who was straining to her breast
a babe. The people in the attic muir
INJURED the names of these as they were
whirled on to death. Next came-Som-
ers started-it was his intimate friend,
the groomsman. He saw Somers, waved
a hand wildly, and disappeared, sinking
in the food as great tree rolled past.
He was borne under by some Of its
branches doubtless.
Here and there man, boy. or woman
could be seen in fat or skitf. Some of
these, caazed by fear or the loss of their
family, were unable to control the frail
craft, and, indeed, it would have re-
quired brave heart, cool head, and q
firm and steady hand and eye to render
service in the straits to which they were
reduced.
Nearer the mountain sides people
in boats were extending helping hands.
But out in the middle of the roaring
waters human aid availed nothing. Hun
dreds were ushered into eternity know
ing, seeing the fate that awaited them.
At that instant Somers felt o tremor.
The house score of people were hud-
died in in fancied security began to rock.
II moved. A mighty raft of debris was
pressing against it.
I'VE are going"
"We shall allbeburned like the others,
woman moaned.
Here is one who will not, said the big
muscular man beside Somers. He sprang
into the food as he spoke, resolved to
drown rather than be burned. He swan
boldly for few feet, great log struck
him, and he too disappeared from view.
Here is another" said tall man
whose coat was buttoned tightly. A pis-
tol shot rang in the air and he fell on the
floor.
Somers felt the instinct. Of self-preser-
walton as strong at that moment as he