The National tribune., 1903-10-22

and the bow pointed toward the Missouri
shore, but he knew the boat could not
reach it in time to save all. There would
be a great loss of life and another river
horror added to the long list Owen real
lied that he could save but one among all
the passengers, and he began the work OF
rescue.
His eyes fell upon young woman of
about %, whose pale, calm face and utter
desertion appealed at once to him. She
was dressed with care, which proved she
was awake when the alarm of fire was
given. Her sunny hair ana so.t, dark
brown eyes added charm to her beauti,
full form and features. She had dn air Of
helpless resignation and noble Christian
fortitude which appealed to the bachelor
heart OF Owen Rcdgrave.
He remembered having seen her on the
evening before when she came abOarti the
boat atone of the lower towns. Her soi-
den hair. soft brown. eyes and 'matchlesS
beauty. her womanly grace and accom-
plishments which seemed apparent at first
glance had appealed to him at once, ami
he hoped that some incident might bring
about an acquaintance with the strange
beauty. But she had shut herself in her
stateroom- Only once more did he get Il
glimpse of her face, and then her peculiar
loneliness and heiplessness appealed to
L
that won his heart, and when he saw her
amid all the confusion and turmoil, lie re-
solved to rescue her or lose his life in the
effort
He struggled through the mass Of fight
ing human beings to where she stood.
The mass of humanity was jammed and
packed so close that he found it inIpossi-
BILE 10 reach her without n struggle. He
saw a ruiliau tearing n door from 4 state
an on the temple with such force as to
fell her senseless to the floor of the saloon.
Owen Redgrave fought fran,ically to
reach the insensible woman. Men and
women were hurled right and left; he tore
his way through the mass, and finally
reached her side. Bending over her he
raised her in his arms and registered a
VOW that he would rescue her or perish.
Through the side door from the great
saloon to the deck he struggled. The for
ward part of tho boat was now a mass
of flame, though from the rocking of the
vessel he could tell it was in shallow wa
ter. and n little below could be seen trees
and foliage. At this moment the bow of
the steamer stuck in the muddy bank with
such force as to hurl the frantic, strug
CLING people in heaps.
Redgrave forced his way through to the
stern of the boat. which was partially pro-
bow. The pilot-house was wrapt with
flame and the gallant Pilot at his wheel
holding the brow of the vessel against the
bank. though his skin was blisterins and
his hair and beard singed to the flesh.
"Oh, my God, what a sight" the Ken
tuckian sasped The fire was driving pas
seneers abd crew TO the stern, where they
fought and struggled for foothold on
the deck. Many leapcd into the stream;
cry moment some struggling human being
was sinking to rise no more while the
air was filed with drowning shrieks.
Mr.. Kedgrave seized door which he
found lying on the stern deck, pulled it to
the edge and threw it into the water At
this moment he heard a tremendous yell.
and looking back saw the Whitehead
foreigner whom he had choked into insen-
sibility rushing toward him evidently with
the intention of Selling his raft With his
insensible burden in his arms the Ken
tuckian leaped into the water and struck
out for the floating door to place the wom-
an on il.
There was mad cry and splash in
the water behind him. The KentuckiaD
supposed another unfortunate victim had
been thrown into the stream to drown.
and with all his energies bent Gu rescuing
the mysterious unknewn. he chung to the
aooF Win one Hahu ana trled 10 pace the
insensible form on it with the other He
had partially succeeded when some one
seized the door, crying:
''You shant have this!''
A glance showed him 1t was the face
of the Mississippi gambler and would be
murderer. The rascal had seized the float
ing door. which was the Kentuckian's only
hope. and was drawing it away from him.
Mastering all his strength and energy, the
kentuckian held the head Of the insensi-
bile woman above water with one hand,