Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-06-06
Il Sailors Love

AAS Wy GuSic WehI vi ICE COURSE
parting the waves of the Indian Ocean.
She was packet steamer in the en-
ploy OF great English company, and
carried many passengers. Among
these, standing on the promenade deck
forward and looking out across the
broad expanse of water before her,
was q beautiful girl, in the flush of her
youth and beauty.
In the wheel-house stood q youII
man, second mate of the ship, looking
at Mabel Vane. He was young, with
. bold, manly face, curling brown hair
and beard and speaking gray eyes-a
man, in grace Of person, manly beauty
and pure hearth man worthy Of the
name. He was only sailor, and had
risen to his present rank from cabin
boy, but vet he dared to love the
daughter of the East Indian million
aire, Arthur yane.
He loved her and had no hope-loved
her as we worship star which is far
beyond our reach. Nothing was fur
Their from his thoughts than to insult
her by telling her that he loved her;
but to be near her, to see her often,
perhaps to do some service which
would win smile from her-that was
reward enough for Will Clay.
She never dreamed of his alteration:
and he had heard her say among her
friends that she liked him better than
any other officer on bonrd the Grey
Eagle. She said 1t In the careless way
Of girlhood, and get he treasured it in
bis heart. Standing there, watching
the Course Of the ship and ready 4,
give word Of warning to the wheels
man II 1t were needed, lie never took
his eyes from her long.
"Alr. Cay" said the man at the
wheel, as he give 1t half turn and
rested there, don't you smell smoke?'
ut comes from the galley"
Perhaps 80, but what are they burn
Ing rosin in the galley for?"
"Rosin," cried Will, raising his head
quickly and snufiing the air. He
caught the peculiar smell himself and
leaped down from the wneel-house,
Keep steady" he whispered to the
man at the wheel. 'eThere may be dan.
ger, but II there is, for Gods sake,
keep It quiet
The man nodded quietly and took a
drmer hold on the wheel. Will Clay
crossed the deck without APPARENT
haste, and yet with terrible fear tug
cling 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, captainy'
The old sea captain suppressed cry
OF horror. With fifty passenger on
board, in the midst Of the Indian
Ocean, far from land, fire was one
Of the most horrible things which
conld come upon a ship.
Go forward and Investigate" he
said, in low tone. '1t you find that
1t is fire, you will know what to do.
How are the boats?"
IAN right, sir; you may trust to
them"
They had good cause FOR fear. The
entire forehold was filled with rosin, in
boxes and casks, and if n fire started
there it might us well be in a nest of fat
pine. Will ran down to the lower deck.
where he was met by a crowd of ex-
cited firemen and coal-passers, who
were rushing madly on deck. Quick MS
thought he seized the foremost and
hurled him back.
Get back. you foolsv' he cried.
Where are you running to?"
Fire" whispered the man, hoarse.
~. "Fire In the forehold!"
Suppose there is. Is 1t your duty to
rush on deck and alarm. the passengers,
or get buckets and try to put out the
hre3 Back, there, all of you. for I
will brain the man who dares to finch
hair now! Stand back, say!"
The men cowed before his superior
will and saw that they might yet do
something to save the steamer.
A guard was placed Mt the hatch, SO
that no one could come down, and the
scuttle which led into tile forehold was
opened. No sooner was this done than
dense volume of black smoke rolled
out, and the scuttle was closed again,
for Will saw that nothing could be
done In that way. The men ran for
ward with axes, but had scarcely gone
dozen steps when they felt the deck
tremble under their feet, and saw
small Jets Of flame shooting up through
the planks. A moment more and
there was n sort of explosion, and the
red flame leaped up suddenly and
caught the planks above.
There was no hope Of concealing the
danger from the passengers now, fol
the steamer was full Of smoke, and
wild cries from the deck announced
that the danger was known. They
must face the most terrible situation
known to the seattle one or all others
the most feared-fire! Women shrek.
ed 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 bewildered by the sudden hor.
ror, felt a strong hand clutch her arm
and saw Will Clay, blackened by
smoke and singed by fame.
go aft," he said, nonrsely. "stand
on the port quarter and wait for me
and Will save you or die trying. Obey
me, girl; l am your master now.''
She looked at him in mute wonder
and obeyed him in silence. He sprang
away and began to light 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 Clay" lie
said, as the two hurled the contents OF
great water cask down the opel
hatch. III We ever escape, the com
pany shall krsy that p,ey have got