The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-17

space remaining to be passed. merely from
the rapid impetus of her approach, but.
again, she might not-and thenP
looked at my dear wife inquirlngly.
stick to yonr post, Rob-" she said.
mo. STRIP shouted back; Il shall stick
to my post; l shall stay here till run her
clear on the shore, or die first"
my brave Rob-my noble Rob" muir
| INJURED Mollie.
But alas for my devoted MollieI alas for
me! Not the pilot-house only, but the en-
tire deck around it was now surrounded by
flames. 1t was too late TO lower ourselves
TO the deck below. The railing was all
| ablaZe. My arms, released from the guard
ianship over the wheel, clasped Moliie close
| to my heart; but my eyes and brain were
| busy seeking some mode of escape from
| death that seemed each instant more GER
| tain.
All at once my eyes rested on the paddle
| box. II had not taken fire yet; the flying
spray had saved it. | had only to dash
across the flame-swept deck and fling open
little door in its side, which afforded ready
access to the wheel. to lower my precious
charge to the water beneath in safely. No
sooner thought of than done.
Take my hand, Mollie," said, land
run with me. We shall be saved, after all.
Wrap your shawl across your mouth. Now.
nOw-runp'
Leaping down on the deck we sped hand
in hand TO the paddle-box. | dashed open
passed In myself and drew the door close
again, shutting out the eager flames whose
angry roar pursued Us as we dropped gently
down into the shallow water and crept out
from beneath the wheel
Our appearance was hailed with shout
Of delight and relief, for all had given us up
as lost and we must have been but for the
heaven-inSpired thought of the wheel-hOuse.
Now that the danger was over, poor little
Mollie tainted, and no wonder. But she
oIIf q = 10 "a "a
gan TO find out the brave little CIR" as they
called her, was really bride of only few
hours, and that we were on our wedding
trip, there was regular ovation, followed
up by nine deafening cheers.
Ihe Island upon which the Moblla had
been beached was low, sandy and uninhab-
tied, altogether not an inviting place for 800
people, without particle of shelter, to pass
half day upon, yet even in this plight there
were few grumOlers.
There was no room in our hearts for any
feeling but that of thankfulness for cur
preservation from fearful death. and after
the peril of the last hour or two it seemed
small matter to wait patiently for the COM
Ing OF the relief boats that we knew were
sure to arrive before many hours were past.
Though some miles from any city, we
knew that the burning steamer must have
been seen from the farm-houses scattered
along the river bank, and that from these
notices of the disaster would be sent to the
nearest town. And so 1t was.
Before nightfall several small steamboats,
arrived, and after that but few hours
ela2Ss before we found ourselves safely at
home and cur adventurous wedding trip at
an end. But the results were not ended by
any means. The terrible nervous strain l
had endured, combined with the severe
burns on my face and hands, threw me
PROSTATE on a bed of sickness.
When 1 was able to report for duty again,
two weeks, learned that noble gift from
the M0billa's grateful passengers-no less a
sum than S2000-lay in the bank awaiting
my order. Not only this, but the steamship
company had voted me a gold medal and
the appointment of pilot of the finest steamer
on their line.
Years have gone by since MY brave wife
and had so nearly journeyed out of the
world on our wedding trip. From pilot l
have come to be captain and part owner of
one of those beautiful fuating palaces that
used so 10 excite my envy, but never do l
pass without sickening shudder the little
island where the Moblla won the stakes in
;he last race-a race of fire against steam,
OF life against death.-Pittsburg Press.