Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-11-05

of her. She must ere long be flung by
the waves upon Jagged and irightful
rocks toward which she was driving. In
the lulI of the wind, not only the boom
Ing Of the minute-gun, but also the
shouts OF the imperiled crew. could be
heard
What can be done P'' said Jones to an
old man whose face betrayed tho strong
est emotion.
Nothing, sir. am afraid. II she'd
managed 10 rount Ia rocks she would
have gone to pieces on Ia sand. and there
are plenty Of men who would have risked
their life to save life. But how are We
TO reach them from this height P'
"How far are we above water"
This rock goes down like wall forty
ia,homs, sir ?"
"Whai depth of water at the foot"
Thirty foot or MORE"
Good Have you plenty of ligh1,
long roper
Much as you want, sir; but lot me
| tell YOU, air. you can't live ten minute
down therei Ia first wave will throw you
on Ia rocks and dash you to pieces.
Plenty OF us would put you down, sir,
but you can't swim if you get down"
DO you know. old man, what SUR
swimming iss have dived through the
surf at Nukubevs"
"God bless you. sir. | thought %
white man could do the same"
While this conversation was going on,
Jones was dives.ing himself OF all super
fluous clothing and cutting out she
sleeves Of his heavy pes-jacket with hi,
pocket-knife. This done, he passed some
light, strong rope through them. The
men watched him with eager interes.
and. seeing their inquisitive look, be
said:
"The thick sleeves will preven, the
rope cutting my body. you see"
"Ay. ay, sir; see now what you are
doing"
Now. men, have only one request
Give ME plenty OF rope as fas, as draw
on you. When get on board-you know
how to make a cradle, suppose ?"
"Ay. ay. sir. bu, how are you going to
reach The water"
II am going TO plunge down. have
dlved from lhe main yard OF the Ajax be
fore this. 1t Was 3 high leap"
He passed double coil Of the rope
around his waist, examined it thoroughly
TO see that there ~ss plenty 10 start with,
and saying. Now. friends. stand ou' OF
the way and lei me have clear start. y
raised his bare head one moment toward
heaven. and. taking short run. leapsd
as from spring board OF plunge bath.
Such On anxious crowd as followed
that leap Great numbers, In spite o!
the dangerous wind, lay fat on their
breasts and watched him. He struck the
water at leas, twenty-five feet beyond the
cliff. and disappeared in It's dark, foamy
depths.
When he rose 10 the surface he saw
just before him gigantic wave, bu, be
had time TO breathe, and before II
reached him dived below It's centre. 1,
broke in passionate fury upon the rocks,
but Jones rose lar beyond 1t. A mighty
cheer from the men on shore reached
him, and now he began In good earnes'
TO pu, his Pacific experience into practice
Drawing continually on the men for
more rope-which they paid out with
deaiening chesrs-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 ad-
yancinc, however, moro below the water
than above Ii.
Suddenly the despairing men on board
heard clear, hopeful voice:
"Help at hand, Captain, throw me
buoy"
Ard In another minute or two Jones
was on the deck. and the cheers from the
little steamer were echoed by the cheers
OF the crowd on the land. There wa'
no. moment to be lost; she was break
ing up fast; but it took but few min
utes to fasten strong cable 10 the small
rope and draw ii on board. and then
second cable, and the communication
WAS complete.
There is lady here. SIR" said the
captain. We mus. rig up chair ioI
her, she can never walk that dangerous
rope"
"But we have not q moment TO waste
or we may all be lost; Is she very
heavyp
"a slight little thinz-hali child
SIR"
"Bring her here"
This was 20 time for ceremony. With
out word. save few sentences OF d.
rection and encouragement, he TOOK her
under his left arm. and stesdying himself
with the upper cable walked on the low.
i
er with his burden safely TO shore. The
crew rapidly followed. for in such mo.
ments of extremity the soul matters the
body, and all things become possible
There was plenty OF help waiting for the
i - 4 .ho Iady ha, fokhar ard Al