Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-26
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He passed a double coil of the rope
around his waist, examined it thoroughly
to see that there was plenty to start with
and saying, Now, friends, stand out of
the way and let me have clear start, "
raised his bare head one moment toward
heaven, and, taking a short run, leaped as
from the spring board of a plunge bath.
Such an anxious crowd as followed that
leap. Great numbers. in spite of the dan
gerous wind, lay lat on their breasts and
watched him. He struck the water at
least twenty-five feet beyond the cliff, and
disappeared in its dark, foamy depths.
When he rose to the surface he saw Just
before him gigantic wave. but he had
time TO breathe, and before it reached him
Owed below its centre. 1t broke 10 pas
sionate fury upon the rocks, but Jones
arose far beyond it. A mighty cheer from
the men on the shore reached him, and
now he began i'll earnest to put his Pacific
experience into practice.
Drawing continually on the men for
rope-which they paid out with deafening
cheers-he met wave after wave in the
same manner, diving under them like an
otter and getting nearer to the wreck with
every wave, really advancing, however,
more below the water than above it.
Suddenly the despairing men on board
heard a clear. hopeful voice:
"help at hand, Captain Throw me "A
buoy.
And ia another minute or two. Jones
was on the deck, ard the cheers from the
little steamer were echoed by the cheers
of the crowd on the land. There was not
a moment to be lost she was breaking
&. hat h,ta fan mt 70
fasten strong cable to the small rope and
draw it on board. and then a second ca
BILE. and the communication was complete.
There is a lady here, SIR" said the
Captain. I'VE must rig up chair for
her. she can never walk up that danger
Gus rope"
but we have not a moment to waste.
or we may all be lost is she very heavy p''
"A slight little thing-half a child,
sir"
'Bring her here"
This was no time for ceremony. With
out a word, save few sentences of di-
rection and encouragement. he took her
under his left arm. and steadying himself
with the upper cable, walked on the low
er with his burden safely to the shore.
The crew rapidly followed, for in such
moments of extremity the soul masters
the body, and all things become possible
There was plenty of help waiting for the
seamen; and the lady. her father and the
captain were put in the carriage of Brad
don and driven rapidly to the hospital
hall.
Jones, amid the confusion disappeared
He had picked up an oil-skin coat, and
when every one turned to thank their de-
liverer he was gone. No one knew him
the sailors said they believed him to be
one OF the militia guests by his rigging"
but the individuality of the hero troubled
no one until the danger was over. In AN
hour the steamer was driven on the rocks
and went to pieces. and it being by this
time quite dark, every one went home.
The next day the hunting party return
cd from Gwynne Hall, the storm having
compelled them to stop all night, and AT
the dinner that evening the wreck and the
hero of it were the theme of every ones
conversation.
"Such a plucky fellow" said Ensign
Powell. II wonder who he was. Gwynne
says he was stranger; perhaps one OF
that crowd staying at the bay"
Perhaps" said Captain Marks. it was
Jones'"
"Oh. Jones would be too afraid of hi:
mother"
Jones made little bow, and said, pleas
antly; perhaps it was POWELL at which
Powell laughed. and said. Not if he
knew It,"
In week the event had been pretty
well exhausted, especially as there was To
be great dinner and ball at Braddon, and
all the officers had invitations. The bal
had peculiar interest. for the young lady
who had been saved from the wreck woulc
be present, and rumors of her riches and
beauty had been rife for several DAYS. II
was said the little steamer was her fathers
private yacht, and that he was a man OF
rank and influence.
Jones said he would not 90 TO The Dime,
as either he or Saville must remain fol
evening drill, and that Saville loved @
good dinner, while he cared very little
about it. Saville could return in time to
let him ride over about ten o'clock ant
see the dancing. Saville rather wondered
why Jones did not take his place all tn,
evening, and felt half injured at this de
fault. But Jones had a curiosity abou
the girl be had saved. To tell the truth
he was nearer in love with her than any
other woman. and he wished, in calm
blood, to see if she was as beautiful as hi,
fancy had painted her during those few
awful minutes that he had held her higf
above the waves.
She was exceedingly lovely; Just the
fresh, innocent girl he had known she
would be. lie watched her dancing with
his brother officers. or talking to her faith.
err, or leaning on Braddons arm, and
every time he saw her she looked fairer
and sweeter. Yet be had no courage tC
ask for an introduction, and in the busy
ballroom no one noticed him He KEEP
his post against the conservatory doc
quite undisturbed for some time. Present
ly he saw Squire Braddon with the beauty
on his arm approaching him. As b,
passed. the Squire remembered he hat
not been TO dinner, and stopped to say
few courteous words, and introduced hi.
companion.
Miss Conyers-Lieutenan Jones'
But no sooner did Miss Conyers heal
Lieutenant Jones's voice than she gave
joyful cry, and clappng her hands togeth
er, said:
IL have found him! Papa Papa
have found him.!
Never was there such an INTERRUPTION
to ball. The company gathered in ex