oat, and seating himself with the oars, began the fight for
the shore. Great sparks from the burning timbers fell about them. The
cabin of the America toppled and fell with a crash, and as the burning
portions struck the water the waves seemed to hiss as if seeking some
struggling soul. The clamor had become deafening; men were leaping into
the water and hoarse cries rang out above the flames.

Shawn was bending to the oars, his long boating practice now standing
him in good stead. The fumes from the burning oil were almost
unbearable, threatening to suffocate the occupants of the yawl. Thirty
yards away was the shore. The muscles in Shawn's arms were straining to
their utmost. The heavily laden boat was almost dipping water.

[Illustration: The Cabin of the America fell with a crash.]

"Sit steady, everybody!" cried Shawn. He turned and gazed toward the
shore, and then put all his strength into the oars and ran the boat upon
the shore. The occupants leaped out, giving joyful expressions for their
safety. Shawn wrapped Mrs. Alden in his coat and carried her from the
boat. On the bank was a log-cabin, from which a light shone. Hastening
thither, he found the door open and a wood-fire burning in the
fireplace, the family having gone to the scene of the disaster. Shawn
placed Mrs. Alden in a chair and said, "Try to make the best of it until
I return; I'm going back to save all I can."

"May God watch over you," sobbed Mrs. Alden.

Shawn sprang into the yawl and pushed out into the stream, and the work
he did that night in saving struggling beings, is still talked about
along that river. The boats were burning to the water's edge, and along
the shore were sobs and groans from those who had reached land; cries of
anguish from those who had lost their loved ones. Oh, the suffering of
that winter night! Children with blistered limbs, crying for mothers
whose voices were hushed beneath the stream; old men writhing in cruel
pain, moaning in piteous tones; young men with folded arms hearing again
the last sad cries of sweethearts as they were torn from them.

Shawn went back to the log-house and found Mrs. Alden in tears.

"Oh, my dear boy, if I were only strong enough to go among those
suffering ones. God has been kind to give me strength to pass through
this ordeal, but I am helpless to aid others."

Shawn stood by her chair; the frost had coated his dark hair, his cheeks
seemed aflame from the exertion through which he