Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1900-05-01

friends that she liked him better than
any other officer on board the Gray
Eagle She said it in the careless 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 wheelsman ii
ii were needed, he never took his eyes
from her long.
''Mr Clay" said the man at the wheel
as ne gave it a half turn and rested
there. don't you smell smoker"
1T comes from the galley"
Perhaps so, but what are they burn
Ing rosin in the galley for?''
'Rosin,' cried win. raising his head
quickly and shifting the air. He caught
the peculiar smell himself and leaped
down from the wheclhouse. Keep
steady" he whispered to the man at
the wheel. There may be danger, but
if there is, for Gods sake, keep it
quiet"
The man nodded quietly and took
ffrmer hold on the wheel VIII Clay
crossed the deck without apparent
haste. and yet with fearful fear tug
ring at his heart. He caught sight of
the captain coming out of the gentle
mems cabin and hurried up to him.
"There is something wrong" he
whispered. Don't you smell burning
rosin, captainl'
The old sea captain suppressed cry
NJ horror. With fifty passengers on
hoard, in the midst of the Indian
Ocean. far from land, fire was one of
the most horrible things which could
come upon ship.
Go forward and investigate" he
said, in low tone. IF you find that
it is a fire. you know what TO do. How
are the boatsF'
"All right, sir; you may trust to
them,
They had good cause for fear. The
entire forehoid was filled with rosin, in
boxes aud casks, and if fire started
there it might as well be in a nest OF fat
nine. win ran down to the lower deck.
where he was met by crowd of ex-
cited firemen and coal passers, who
were rushing madly on deck Quick as
thought he seized the foremost and
hurled him back.
Go back. you fools" he cried.
Where are you running to-"
FIRE." whispered the man hoarsely.
oFire in the forehold.'
suppose there is, Is it your duty 20
rush on deck and alarm the passengers,
or get buckets and try To put out the
ire? Back. there, all of you. for l will
brain the man who dares to tiinch a
hair now. Stand back, l say''
The men cowed before his superior
will and saw that they might yet do
something to save the steamer.
guard was placed at the hatch. so
that no one could come down, and the
scuttle which led into the forehold was
opened. No sooner was this done than
dense volume of black smoke rolled
out and the scuttle was closed again.
for win saw that nothing could be done
in that way The men ran forward with
axes. but had scarcely gone dozen
steps when they felt the deck trcmble
under their feet and saw small Jets OF
flame shooting up through the plankS.
A moment more and there was sort OF
explosion, aud the red flames lcaped up
suddenly aud caught the planks above.
There was no hope OF coneealing the
danger from the passengers now, fol-
the steamer was full OF smoke. ant
wild cries from the deck announced
that the danger was known. They must
face the most terrible situation known
TO the seattle one OF all others the
most feared fire, Women shrieked
and tainted. strong men trembled and
could not move hand or foot, and Others
ran wildly about the decks rendering no
assistance. Mabel Vane. utterly be
wndered by the sudden horror. felt q
strong hand clutch her arm. and saw