Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-06-02

Plenty of us would put you down, sir;
but you can't swim if you get down."
'.Do you know, old man, what surf
swimming is have dived through the
surf at Nukuheva." j"
"God bless you, sir. I thought no
white man could do the same"
While this conversation was going on,
Jones was divesting himself of all super
fuous clothing, and cutting out the
sleeves of his heavy pea-jacket with his
pocket knife. This done, he passed
some light, strong rope through them.
The men watched him with eager in
terest, and, seeing their inquisitive losks,
he said:
1.-The thick sleeves will prevent the
rope cutting my body, you see.''
GAY, ay, sir; see now what you are
doing"
"Now, men, have only one request;
Give me plenty of rope as fast as draw
on you. When [ get on board, you
know how to make cradle, suppose ?"
SAY, ay, sir; but how are you going
to reach the water ?''
II am going to plunge down. have
dived from the mainyard of the Ajax
before this. 1t was as high a leap"
He passed double coil of the rope
round his wait, examined 1t 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" he raised his bare head one mo-
ment toward Heaven, and, taking
short run, leaped, from the spring
board of plunge bath.
Such an anxious crowd as followed
that leap! Great numbers, in spite of
the dangerous wind, lay fat on their
breasts and watched him. He struck
the water at least twenty feet beyond
the cliff, and disappeared in its dark,
foamy depth.
When he rose to the surface he saw
just before him a gigantic wave, but he
had time to breathe, and before it reach
ed him he dlved below its center. 1t
broke in passionate fury upon the rocks,
but Jones rose far beyond it. A mighty
cheer from the men on the shore reached
him, and he now began in good earnest
to put his Pacific experience in practice.
Drawing continually on the men for
more rope-whlch they paid out with
deafening chcers-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-
vancing, however, more below the water
than above it.
Suddenly the despairing men on board
heard clear, hopeful voice:
Help at hand, captain ! Throw me a
buoy"
And in another minute or two Jones
was on deck, and the cheers of the little
steamer were echoed by the cheers of the
crowd on land There was not a mo.
ment to be lost; she was breaking up
fast; but it took but few minutes tc
fasten cable to the small rope and
draw it on board, and then second ca.
BILE, and the communication was com
plete.
There is lady here, sir, said tn,
captain. ave must rig up chair fo
her; she can never walk that dangerou.
rope"
But we have not moment to waste
or we may all be lost Is she YER
heavy?"
"a slight little thing; half a chill,
SIR"
"Bring her here"
This was no time for ceremony. With
out word, save few sentences Of di
, rection and encouragement, he took he
upon his left arm, and steadying himsel
by the upper cable. walked on the lowe
with his burden safely to the shore. Tn
crew rapidly followed, for in such me
ments of extremity the soul masters tn
body and all things become possible.
There was plenty of help waiting fo
the half-dead seamen and the lady, he
e father, and the captain had been put i
the carriage of Braddon and driven raj
idly to his hospitable hall. Jones. ami
the confusion, disappeared; he had picl
o ed up an oil-skin coat and cap, an
a when everyone turned to thank the
j. deliverer he was gone. No one kpe
$ him /; the sailors said they believed hi
t to be zone of the military gents by h
!, rigging" but the individuality of tt
d hero had troubled no one until the dal
G ger was over. In an hour the steamt
!, was driven on the rocks, and went
!, pieces; and, it being by this time qui
d dark, every one went home.
The next day the hunting. party r
o turned from Gwynne Hall, the stor
e having compelled them to stop all nigl
and at dinner that evening the wrec
d and the hero Of it were the theme
d every ones conversation.
e 'Such plucky fellow" said Ensie
t Powell. Il wonder who he was