Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1900-05-31
he steamer was fun e. smo.. ..

.ne uahger was known. They
must lace the most terrible situation
known to the seattle one or all other.
the most feared-fire Women shr;oL-
ed and tainted, strong men tremh1aa
and could not move hand or foot .nd
others ran wildly about the dacls
rendering no assistance. Mabel yape,
utterly bewildered by the sudden hor
ror, felt a strong hand clutch her arm.
ana saw Will Clay, blackened nv
smoke and singed by fame.
60 aft he said, hoarsely. ..StanA
on the port quarter and wait for me.
and will save you or die irving Ohay
me. girl; l am your master now,
She looked at him in mute wonder
ana obeyed him in silence. He sprang
away and began to fight the fire as he
could, aided by the officers and crew
and some few of the passengers who
kept their heads. Among these was
arthur Vane, handsome old gentle.
man, with an engaging face.
You are man, William Claw he
said, as the two hurled the contents of
great water cask down the omen
match. If we ever escape, the com
pany shall know that they have got
man in their employment. If we
don't, it is all the same. Have YOU
seen my daughter?"
Il sent her aft just now. and told her
that | would save her or lose my life.
And I'll do it, too. because 7 love her."
Love her-you!'
Just now you said I was a man.
said Will quietly. Lay hold on that
cask, you. What are you Sinking for;
can't we talk and work, too?''
A strange smile came oevr the face of
the old merchant, and they hurled the
cask into the water. and assisted the
man working at the fall in raising it.
Don't think I'm fool, Mr.. Vane,'
said Will. IF | lived a thousand years,
and saw her every day, I wouldn't tell
her as much as I've told you. And
what's more, you wouldn't have heard
me say it if it had not come out before
| thought
Mr.. Vane said not word, and Will
Clay was silent. They worked hard to
save the steamer, but the flames
gained upon them inch by inch, and
drove them aft.
Give it up, captain" whispered
VIII. Get out the boats and provision
them. Take time for all you want, and
we will fight the fire.
Il The sailors worked with will until
they saw the boats drawing up to the
gangway, and the passengers taking
places, when they left their work, and
sprang for the boats. The passengers
made rush at the same moment, but
as they neared the gangway they met
Will Clay, a pistol in each hand, and
his eyes flashing fire.
'Stand back, there!'' he cried. "Do
you call yourselves men? Do you want
to swamp the boats, and spoil our only
chanceY'
"Get out of the way!' Kissed a gigan-
tic Swede, raising his heavy hand.
"Out of the way or l will crush you
with a single blow"
A pistol cracked and the man fell
back, shot through the shoulder. The
crowd recoiled before the determined
youuS AldH, III CNCh III al AAOuA INV
this men fear sudden death.
keep back, I say"' repeated the
young mate. Pass along those ladies
first, for they go in the first boat
The order was promptly obeyed, and
then six of the crew, called out by
name. went into the boat and pulled it
away from the gangway, under COM
mand of the first mate. Boat after
boat pulled up to the gangway, re-
ceived it's load and pulled away. There
was no more rushing, for there was
death in the eyes of the young mate
and the captain, who had taken his
place by his side.
NV daughter is not in the boats,
young man." said Arthur Vane,
hoarsely.
Miss Vane," cried Will, ''you can
come now"
Mabel who had been standing apart,
hurried forward. Mr.. Vane stepped in
to the boat and the last of the crew
followed. Then a panic seemed to
seize them, and they pushed off, ieav-
ing the captain and mate upon the
flame leapeu out toward the boat.
Through this fiery barrier the two men
dashed and were seen striking out for
the boat.
STOP cried Mr.. Vane. you have
left the captain and Mr.. Clay
The men looked at him fiercely. but
the steady eye of the old man awed
them. and the two were helps into the
boat, the captain supported by the
strong arm of his gallant mate. The
boats pulled away together, while the
columns of flame which shot into the
air announced the fate of the Grey
Eagle. They reached the islands safe
ly after a week had passed.
There is a young man who sails a
steamer from London to. Alexandra,
whose name is Will Clay. and he is
married. The name of his wife IS
L GE<xYr