The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-11-19
4 Thrilling Story Of The Johns
town Disaster.
BY DAVID LOWRY.
CHAPTER VI.

was pOWeIleSS u uolp INC aunuho1o VI
human beings threatened with the most
horrible Of deaths. -.
He was distraught with horror one mo.
ment. It was only when he looked down
and saw that he was clasping and un.
clasping his hands purposely that ne
realized his condition.
Are We all going mad9" he asked 9
man near him. The man shiEered, and
turned his head aside.
@Can nothing be done? is there 10 one
who can try to save some of those peo..
pie? Is there no way to get at themi
Those people on shore there, there!
see the people in the boats. Why IN the
name of heaven do they not 80 to their
aid?"
Then one man, q big, muscular man
whose coat, vest and shirt was off, slowly
replied, IF we save ourselves we may
thank God!"
/, 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
bslf.
{ There was not vestige of clothing up
On him.
Half the people in the water were de-
nuded by the force of the current and
violent contact with floating debris.
Somers looked closely at the people in
the attic. There was not face there he
knew.
Where were all the people who were
around him half an hour ago?
As Somers asked himself this ques-
tion, a 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
fose and fell on the waters surface. His
hair was white; his eyes we're closed,
seemingly in death. Half dozen uttered
his name. Evidently he was we'll known.
Then another old man came In view,
holding two children. Beside him was
woman, who was straining to her breast
q babe. The p>ople 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
q 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 skiff. Some Of
these, crazed by fear or the loss of their:
family, were unable to control the frail
craft, and, indeed, it would have re-
quired q 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 tremor.
The house score of people were hud-
died in in fancied security began to rock.
1t moved. A mighty raft of debris was
pressing against It.
ave are going"
we shall all be burned like the others,
q 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-
Ssst: Il; is'' rang In the air ana he 's'' on the
Somers felt the instinct of self.preser-
vation as strong at that moment as he
had ever experienced it. He leaped into
the water and seized large beam that
promised relief temporarily, at least,
while the house he left was swept sud-
denly and with irresistible force down
the stream, where the surging waters 20.
morselessly ground it to pieces, and all
who relied upon it for safety.
Somebody was shouting frantically
near a. hand. Somers thought he heard
his name. He looked toward the shore.
There was man beckoning to him. The
man stood up in fiat. He had large
piece of broken board which he used as
8 paddle.. There was not much current
there.
- Jump, Mars Somers! Jump into de
water, fo' de Lawd's sake jump, an I'll
reach yo'. Dat timber'n carry you way.
Jump!"
Somers realized this much himself.
But there was SO much between him and
the man IN the nat tnaL the case seemet
hopeless. Finally he left the beam, and
once more was swimming-battling TO,
life. A piece of scantling whirling in
the water struck him on the side. He
sank, rose, struck out again manfully-
then felt his strength leaving him.
Human endurance could stand no more
the limit was reached; throwing up his
hands, he sank once more. He ross
agaiL, and powerful hand grasped his
wrist
I've got hold.-got good grip, Mart
Somers. Easy now, hinny-don't yor
fuss none!"
Then Somers felt himself pulled slowly
into the fiat, where he fell poWerless t
utter his thanks to his savior.
-Doan' yo' know me, Mars somersi
Wait; when We git ashore yoll come tt
yo'self. I'm Si-Si Harkess - Squire
Jepson's g man"
Somers looked at him helplessly. Whtr
he recovered his breath. he sat up. S|t
strong hands soon put the end of the fiat
against house hsf covered with water
Oar; jump in dar'-dere's shed ROOT
back dar. You kin step right oH n d
roof to de groun'. Defe's Whole LOT o
people dar; mos likely dey'll know you.
Where is the Squire-and Mrs. Jep'
SOM"
"Doan' ask mel did see de Squire
out'n de water-den he got in agin.
doan' know-none of US knows what VT
doin' now--can't think - heads mos