Smyrna times., 1900-05-02
lie SMYRNA TINES WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 2, 1900

felt a strong hand clutch her arm and |
saw VIII Clay, blackened by smoke
and singed by fame.
Go aft!' he said hoarsely. "Stand |
ON the port quarter and wait for me.
and will save you or die trying. Obey |
me, girl; | am your master now"
She looked at him in mute wonder |
and Obeyed him in silence He sprang |
away and began to fight the fire as he |
could, aided by the officers and crew |
ana some few of the passengers who |
Kept their heads. Among these was |
Arthur Nane, handsome old gentle |
man with an engaging face.
You are man, William Clay" he |
said as the two hurled the contents of
great water cask down the open
hatch. 'If we ever escape, the COM
pany shall know that they have a 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 | love her."
Love her-yOuY'
"Just now you said l was man."
said Will quietly. Lay hold on that
cask, you. What are you shirking
for? Can't we talk and work too?"
A strange smile came over 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 a fool, Mr.. Vane."
said Will. IF lived thousand years
and saw her every day, 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
l thought"
Mr. Vane said not a word, and VIII
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
Will. Get out the boats and provision
them. Take time for all you want,
and we will fight the fire."
The sailors worked with a 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, thereY' he cried. "Do
you call yourselves men? Do you want
to swamp the boats and spoil your only
chanceY
Get out of the wayw hissed a gigan-
tic Swede, raising his heavy hand.
"Out of the way or / will crush you
with a single blow"
pistol cracked, and the man fell
back, shot through the shoulder. The
crowd recoiled before this determined
young man, for even in an hour like
this men fear sudden death.
keep back. | sayw 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. received its
load and pulled away. There was no
more rushing. for there was death in
the eyes of the young man and the cap
tain. who had taken his place by his
side.
My daughter is not in the boats,
young man." said Aurthur 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. leav-
ing the captain and the mate upon the
doomed steamer as long tongues of
flame leaped 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 helped into the
, boat. the captain supported by the
strong arm of his gallant mate. The
, boats pulled away together. while the
column OF fame which shot in the air
announced the fate of the Gray Eagle.
They reached the islands safely after
a week had passed.
There is a young man who sails a
steamer from London to Alexandra
whose name is VIII Clay. and he is
, married. The name of his wife Is Ma
bel for Arthur Vane, having found a
. man." knew how to make him all his
! own.-EXchange.