Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-04-25
viii Clay, blackened by smoke and
singed by flame,

VIII SiAy, UMChtucu ny SuOk6 ana
singed by flame.
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
and some few of the passengers who
kept their heads. Among these was
Arthur Vane, n handsome old gentle
man, with an engaging face.
you IRE a man, William Clay" he
said, as the two hurled the contents of
greater water cask down the open
hatch. ''If we ever escape the COM
pany shall know that they have man
In their employment. If we don't, 1t is
all the same. Have you seen my daugh-
ter?"
II sent her aft just now, and told her
that would save her or lose my life.
And I'll do 1t, too, because love her,
"Love her-you!"
"Just now you said was a man."
said Win quietly. Lay hold on that
cask, you. What are you Sinking 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
1t.
"Don't think I'm fool, Mr.. vane,"
said Will. "If lived thousand years
and saw her every day wouldn't tell
her as much us I've told you. And
what's more, you wouldn't have heard
me say 1t IL 1t had not come out before
/ thought"
Mr.. Vale said not 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 1t up, captain" whispered viii.
Get out the boats and provision them.
Take time for all you want, and we
will fight the fire."
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 your only
chance"
"Get out Of the way!' Missed gigan-
tic Swede, raising his heavy hand. "Out
ct the way or will crush you with n
single blow"
A 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, 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 its 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.
"My daughter is not in the boats,
young man." said Arthur yane hoarse-
ly.
"Miss vane." cried win, you can
come now"
Mabel, who had been standing apart,
hurried forward. Mr.. yane stepped
into the boat, and the last of the crew
followed. Thensa panic seemed to
seize them and them pushed off, leaving
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.. yane. "You have
left the captain and Mr.. Clay"
The men looked at him fiercely, but
the steady eye of the old man ,lwed
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