353 LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

CHAPTER XXX VTL
THE END OF THE 'GOLD DUST.*
FOB, three months later, August 8, while I was writing one of these
foregoing chapters, the New York papers brought this telegram—
A TEHHIBLE DISASTER.
SEVENTEEN PERSONS FTT.T.TBT^ BY AN EXPLOSION ON THE STEAMER
'GOLD DtTST.'
* NASHVILLE, Aug. 7.—A despateh from Hiekman, Ky., says—
*The steamer " Gold Dust" exploded her boilers at three o'clock to-day,
just after leaving Hiekman. Forty-seven persons were scalded and seven-
teen are missing. The boat was landed in the eddy just above the town,
and through the exertions of the citizens the cabin passengers, officers, and
part of the crew and deck passengers were taken ashore and removed to the
hotels and residences. Twenty-four of the injured were lying in HolcomVs
dry-goods store at one time, where they received every attention before heing
removed to more comfortable places.'
A list of the names followed, whereby it appeared that of the
seventeen dead, one was the barkeeper; and among the forty-seven
wounded, were the captain, chief mate, second mate, and second and
third clerks; also Mr. Lem. S. Gray, pilot, and several members of
the crew.
In answer to a private telegram, we learned that none of these was