The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-08-20
SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 1904

issn .5 But sa Leaned the hat ateyy
on, man an, All, here comes the captain"
1T am afraid sir, - the officer said in low voice.
FLAMES have got big hold The fire is down below
somewhere the flames have up thru the cabin foor
. Mr. Croft, get all the male passengers deck and
set them to work at the pumps and buckets Mr. Hanna
DO you see to the pumps 30 sun, get the boats all
ready for lowering at It fortunate that the
has gone down good deal.''
Bob followed the officer below to the men s cabin
"Lads, - said the officer in a loud but calm tone
there is trouble below, and you must all turn out and
lend hand at bit Of fire has broken out
somewhere and must just set to work to send
water down and extngush it. The great thing to do
to do everything quietly, and without any fuss or
bustle'
The all quickly out and, hurrying on their
clothes went deck while the officer proceeded to the
women's cabin ''You must all turn out and dress YOUR
selves and Children said wrap yourselves
well up, and deck. There is bit of fire
somewhere the men may want to take up the floor
ings of your cabin to get at it. Be quick you can
for smell the smoke pretty strong here, and the
sooner you out of it the BETTER
For half hour the passengers worked at the pumps
while the got the boats ready for launching The
and children had been aft to the poop An
of fame shot up from the forecastle hatchway. Bob
had just been relieved from spell at the pumps when
Mr. Craft came up to the captain, who was standing
''The carpenter has cut thru the floor under the
migrants cabin sir the cargo is all aght there. It
must have been smouldering for days. I expect
matches something ignited when the cargo shifted
bit just when the gale struck u.s.
60 It is useless to try the ship - the captain
said you the flames breaking out at the fore
hatch You well let the passengers keep pump
ing it will occupy them, and prevent confusion Tell
the stewards getting water and provisions
into the boats without moment s delay; to that
yourself Let the men get all the spare spars overheard
We have lost three Of the boats the gale
make raft Pass the word for the carpenter
Another five minutes and pillar Of fire rush
ing up from the forehatch.
''Keep your heads, men, the captain said sterny,
of the passengers leaving the pumps with
cnf6ic thoroi Iopr
eight miles away, the wos to the worst
land The boats will hold most of us, and the
will make raft that will carry the rest; there
must be scrambng and confusion. Now lads"
he said, turning to the crew. Clover away the boats;
get down the accommodation ladder let the women
and children go down and take their places in the boats
Boaswan put four in each boat; that the
of the the boats lowered, stick
ing the raft Mr. Hannay, you may come with to the
gangway. You will two revovers hanging up in my
cabin; they are loaded we may want them.''
AS the boats were brought round to the lad
der, there was disposition the part of of the
steerage passengers to make rush for Them but the
who approaches, I shoot him dead We have got
twelve bullets, 50 the first twelve Of you who have
fancy for dying at once instead of getting quickly to
Shore had better on
The shrank back. 'tYou had better he went
be helping the to get the spars overboard if
there any of you who understand carpentry get
down the side and lend the carpenter hand.''
Every one soon employed; but rapidly the
worked the fire made terrible progress. The fore
part of the ship already of flames, atho
the vessel had been put dead before the wind, the
was working Bob assisted the
to carry the frightened children the gangway
where the sailors took them down the ladder the
boats.
'tNow,'' the captain said, looking the side,
"married to go next. IF any is enough
to push forward who is not married man, he will
reach the gangway alive How much there,
Mr.. Croftg'' he said when the last had passed.
Groom for about dozen more.'
'sWe, let dozen of the greatest towards CO., the
captain said grimly.
No one moved.
THAT is right, the captain said. tLet dozen Of
those nearest to me go quietly down. There a
little rush now, but only twelve allowed pass.
CHOW, Mr.. Croft you get into that boat join the
others astern, and be ready to and take off
the raft as it is loaded''
Go Be Continued)