The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-01-11
A SAILORS LOVE.

Ihe Gray Eagle went on her course,
pafting the waves of the Indian
QeRn. She was a packet steamer in
<Gseemploy of great English COM
lsay, and carried many passengers.
Anong these, standing on the PROM
Enade deck forward. and looking out
Acsooss the broad expanse of water
peiDre her. was beautiful girl in the
lush or fier youth and beauty.
In the wheelhouse stood a young
man, second mate of the ship. look.
tngat Mabel Vane. He was young.
with bold, manly face. curling
brown hair and beard and speaking
cray eyes-a man, in grace of person.
manly beauty and pure heart--a man
4 ditltSssxcgY of the name. He was only n
INaHoPSand had risen to his present
rank rom cabin boy, hut yet he
dared % love the daughter of the
East Indian millionaire, Arthur
Vane
Heloved Ter and he had no hope
loved her asWe worship a star which
is far beyont our reach. Nothing
was further fom his thoughts than
to insult her ty telling her that he
loved her butto be near her, to see
her often. perhaps to do some service
which would VIII a smile from her
that was reward enough for Will
Clay.
She never dreamed of his adora-
tion and he had heard her say to
her friends that she liked him better
than any other officer on board the
Gray Eagle. She saidit in the care
less way of girlhood, and yet he
treasured it in his heart. Standing
there, watching the course of the
ship. and ready TO give a word of
warning to the wheeIman if it were
needed. he never took his eyes from
her long.
"Mr. Clay" said the man at the
wheel, as he gave it a half turn and
rested there, don't you smell
smoke ?"
ut comes from the galley"
perhaps so. but what are they
burning r0sin in the galley fOr?"
"Rosin." cried Will, raising his
head quickly and snufiing the air.
He caught the peculiar smell himself
ahd leaped down from the wheel
ouse. keep steady" he whisper.
eopSthe man at the wheel. "There
maybe danger. but if there is. fol
Gods sake. keep it quiet"
The man nodded quietly and took
a firmer hold on the wheel, Will
Clay crossed the deck without ap.
parent haste and yet with a terrible
fear Juggling at his heart. He caught
, sight Of the captain coming out oi
the gentIemel.'s cabin and hurried
ito him.
"There is something wrong" he
whispered. Don't you smell burn
Ing rosin. captain ?"
The old sea captain suppressed a
cry of horror. With fifty passengers
on board. in the midst of the Idian
ocean, far from land, fire was one
of the most horrible things which
could come upon a ship.
"Go forward AMI investigate" he
said, in low tone. "If YOU find that
it is ire, you will know what to do.
How are the boats ?"
"AIl right, sir; you may trust to
them"
They had good cause for fear. The
entire fOrehOld was filled with rosin,
in boxes and casks, and if FIRE start
ed there it might as well be in nest
of fat pine. Will ran down to the
lower deck, where he was met by q
crowd of excited firemen and coal
passers. who were rushing madly on
deck. Quick as thought he seized
the foremost and hurled him back.
"Get back, you fools !" he cried.
"Where are you running to?
"FIre !" whispered the man,
hoarsely. Fire III the forehoId !"
Suppose there is. Is it your duty
to rush on deck and alarm the pas.
sengers, or get buckets and try to put
out the fire? Back, there, all of you.
for l will brain the man who dares
to finch hair now. Stand back,
say"
The men cowed before his superior
will and saw that they might yet dc
something to save the steamer.
A guard was placed at the hatch,
so that no one could come down. and
the scuttle which led into the fore
hold was opened. No sooner was this
done than dense volume of black
smoke rolled out, and the scuttle was
closed again. for Will saw that moth.
ing could be done in that way. The
men ran forward with axes, but had
scarcely gone dozen steps when
thew fplf tho IooIy frn,oF F,o Jndor fhai,