36

THE ASHTABULA DISASTER.

the first things which were at hand, and hardlyknowing what he was doing, attempted to breakthe doors and windows, for the wounded toescape. Mr. Tinlay plunged into the water andswam to the other side to rescue those whj> wereat a distance in the wreck. The omnibus manbegan to chop to get an opening for those within,but cut an awful gash into his foot, and wasobliged to cease. Mr. Apthorp, more deliberateand self-controlled, first thought of the bell andof giving the alarm, but hastened to the train.He went from car to car, entering such as wereopen and could be reached, and sought to help outthose who might be left inside. Others arrivedand helped the wounded to escape from thewater and ice, and up the bank.

All were excited and hardly knew what theywere doing and did not think of what next to do.The engineer fluttered to and fro, excited anduncontrolled. The saloon keeper assisted a fewand then disappeared. Some who arrived stoodon the bank amazed, and appalled, but idle andpassive, amid the scene.

In the meantime the flames began to arise. It