The daily news., 1900-04-17

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!eaped up suddenly and caught the
planks above.
There was no hope Of concealing the
danger from the passengers now. for
the steamer was full of smoke and
wild cries from the deck announced
1 that the danger was known. They
must face the most terrible situation
known 10 the sea. the one OF all others
I tie most fcared-fire, Women Shrek
I'd and tainted. strong men trembled
lnG could not move hand or foot. and
others ran wildly about the decks rem
/ ierinG no assistance. Mabel Nane. NJ
tcrly bewildcred l.y the sudden horror.
felt a strong hand clutch her arm an,
saw Will Clay. blackened by smoke
and sin=ed by flame.
Go aft" be said hoarscly. stand
on the port quarter and wait fc- me.
and | viii save you or de trying. Obey
me, girl; | am your master now"
She looked 1T him in mute wonder
and oJcyeJ him in silence. He sprang
away and bccanIo fight the FIRE as he
could. aided by tie officers a4J crew
aud some few Of the Messengers who
kept their beads. Among these was
Arthur NaDe. o handsome old gentle
man with an eHgagipg face.
You are a man. William Clay" be
said rs the two hurled tie coaiGats OF
l great water cask down the open
hatch. IF we ever escape, the cc,N-
pany shall know that they La - -.
in their employment If we don't, it is
alI - sum-. sum- H2yo yon socn my
.4ughtcr?"
4 49, hlE, ait just now and told her
but wC-.l save her or lose my life,
aud I'll do It, too, because ! love her"
'Eove Ler-you"'
Just now you said l was man,
said VIII quietly. Lay hold on that
cask, you. What are you shirking
for? Can't we talk and work too:'
4 strange smile came over the fach
Of the old merchant. and they hurled
the cask into the water and assisted
the man working at The fall iB raising
il.
Don't think I'm n fool. Mr.. Vane,"
said Will. IF lived a thousand years
and saw her every day, l 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 oct before
| thought"
Mr.. NaGe said not a word. and VIII
Clay was silent. They worked hard
TO save the steamer but the Danes
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 10 the
GanEway and the passengers taking
places. when they left their work and
SpranG for the boats. The passengers
made n rush at the same 0oE.cnt. but
as they ncared 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 your only
chanceE'
Get out of the way" hissed a gigan-
tic Swcde. 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. Tie
crowd rccoiled before this determined
young man. for even in Al hour like
this men fear sudden death.
Keep back. | say" repeated the
young mate. Pass along those ladies
first for they 20 in the first boat"
The order was promptly obeyeG, and
then six of the crew. called out by
name. went into the boat and pulled it
away from the gan"way under com
mand of the first mate. Boat after boat
pulled up to the ganCway. 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 VIII. 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 of. leav-
ing the captain and the mate upon the
doomed steamer as long tongues of
fame leaped out toward the boat.
Through this fiery barrier the two men
dashed and were seen striking out for
the boat.
stop. cried Mr.. Nane. "YOu have
left thr captain and Mr.. Clay"
I'll" men looked at him ticrccly. but
the steady eye Of the old man awed
them. aud 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
the fate of the Gray Eagle
They reached the islands safely after
4 week had passed
There is a young man who sails a
steamer from London to AlpVIu,lri9