Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-02-19

What can be done u asked Jones
to an old man, who's face betrayed
the strongest emotion.
Nothing, sir, / am afraut. II
the'd managed to round Ia rocks
she would have gone to pieces on
Ia sand, and there are plenty OF
men who would have risket life to
save life. But how are we to reach
: them from this height 7"
"How far are we above the
$ water Z"
, "This rock goes down like wall,
r forty fothoms, sir"
"What depth OF water at the
, foot 7"
Thirty feet or more"
"Good. Have you plenty of
light, strong rope! I"
. "Much as you want; but let me
tell you, sir, you can't live three
minutes down there. The first
wave will dash you to pieces.
Plenty of MS would put you down.
sir: but You can't swim if you go
down."
"Do you know, old man, what
surf-swimming isl 1 have dived
through the surf at Nukuheva."
"God bless you, sir. i thought
no white man could do that same" .
While this conversation was GO
ing on, Jones was divesting him
self of all his superAuous clothing,
and cutting ont the sleeve of his
heavy peajacket with his pocket
knife. This done, he passed some
rope through them.
The men watched him with =
queer interest, and seeing their in r
quisitive looks, he said: ;
"The thick sleeve will prevent
the rope cutting my body, you !.
see."
Gay, ay, sir; / see now what =
you are doing" .
snow, men, have only one re- u
quest. Give me plenty of rope as '
asst as ! draw on you. When l get u
IN board you know how to make st
cradle, supposel" W
"Ay, ay, sir; but how are you u
yoing to reach the waterp III
81 am going to plunge down. l ).
ave dived from the main yard of 81
he Ajax before this. 1t was a high IT
cap" he
He passed double coil of the W,
ope around his waist, examined hl
thoroughly to see that there was fu
Ienty to start with, and saying du
Now, friends, stand out of the be
ay and let me have clear
art" he raised his bare head one he
oment toward heaven, and taking an
short run, leaped, as from the VIC
'ring-board of plunge bath. ion
Such an anxious crowd as follow
that leap! Great numbers, in
lite OF the dangerous wind lay fat
their breasts, and watched him. he'
e struck the water at least she
'enty-five feet from the cliff, and pin
sappeared in its dark, gloomy
pths. Pal
When he rose to the surface he \
" just before him a gigantic ruu
we, but he had time to breathe, cat
d, before it reached him, he ma
ed below its center. It broke the
passionate fury upon the rocks. INV
Jones rose far beyond it. A edr
'hty cheer from the men on the Of
re reached him, and now he be- II
to put his Pacific experience wba
practice. o,;e
'rawing continuously on the boat
for more rope-which they char
out with deafening cheers were
met wave after wave in the ed a
e manner, diving under them mon
an otter and getting nearer the then
elk with every wave, really ad- post
sing more below the water than lette
We it. co.
nddenly the despairing men on B,
ID heard a clear, hopeful voice. had
Help at hand, captainl Throw spen
onoy. ing {
u" 10 another minute or two glee
IS was on deck, and the three turn,
RS on the little steamer were mon,
'eu ~ tue cneers OF the crowd lengi
"' nere was not moment enter
9 lost; she was breaking ND unde
but it took but q few minutes vers
asten a strong cable to the r.;
] rope and draw it on board, Colo,
then a second cable, and the the .
nunication was complete. MARI