Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1885-12-17

anu round In tina water. and the ship
rushed on, leaving him behind. The
Piorropoints were not very near the
place where little Jack fell over; they
| were at the other side of the deck; but
Mrs. Pierrepont when sho saw him
climbing, laid her hand quickly on her
husbands shoulder. He looked up In.
stantly, and following har eyes to the
spot uw the boy Just rs he fell. In one
moment he was on his feet, kicked Off
his canvas shoes, threw his hat on the
deck. and turning his face toward the
bridge, where he knew some OF the ships
officers were always stationed. he called
out In voice which rang like trum-
pct-call over the ship: "Man over
board" Then. with u quick run and
leap. he had cleared the r,iil. and the
broken, twisting water Of the ships
track had closed over him. He was on
the surface again In moment. and,
taking glance back ~ the ship TO know
his position. stretched out into long.
steady stroke in the direction where he
knew the child was . I'LL
Great confusion and excitement fell
upon the passengers, but not upon the
officers of the ship. Captain Hood was
standing on the bridge talking TO the
second officer when he heard the cry Of
"Man overboardr' He looked aft and
fsnd saw man disappearing over the
stern; then he sawin the steamers wake
two heads, one dark and the other small
and fair, and farther away. floating
high, the colorcd ball. A sailor who
was cleaning some brass-work near the
stern ran forward. calling out to the
Captain: "Your son has fallen over
board. sir. and n passenger has jumped
after him." The Captains hand was
ON the cnginc-room telegraph, and down
into the depths Of the ship went the sig-
nails The engineer and some Of his
subOrdinates were sitting about in front
Of the great engines in the mixture of
lamplight and dim daylight which per-
vades that region. Some OF the men
had stretched themselves out on the
floor of checkered iron plates. IL was
AN idle time. The engines were going
full speed and working well; one man
was telling a story. when. To the aston
ishmet of them all, tho telegraph bell
rang. and the index. which pointed To
Full speed ahead" moved across the
dial 20 "Stand by" There was gcn-
eral cry Of Whats wrong?" Tho en-
gineer was close TO the wheel which
controlled the engines, and his assist
ants stood by. Again the bell rang. and
the index pointed To stop" The en-
gines came to stand. the revolutions Of
the propeller stopped, strange quiet
fell ON the engino-rOom, and the trcmor
all over the ship ceased. They all
watched the telegraph. The bell rang
again, and the index moved TO 'A'urn
slow; and again in n minute or two
20 Half"
The engineer now had time TO speak
"What's wrong on deck? Ono OF YOU
ran up and bring down word, quick."
Mickey. n fireman with bare feet and
baro shoulders, was standing ut. the foot
OF the almost perpendicular iron ladder,
and Il The engineers wor,i hc ran m n
nimbly rs monkey; but he lid no. re-
turn. and in a few minutes another man
went up who returned Immediately. all
brca;hlcSs, and told the Others what had
occurred. and that he had seen the first
messenger. Mickey, in the boat which
had been sent of TO the rescue. MI
who could then went up an deck to sec
the result. The head engineer could
not quit his post The reversing of tho
engines had now brought the steamer
20 stand. The next signal came
down. "Slow." and tho good steamer
moved slowly backward ON her track.
When the first alarm was given, and
while the Captain, who never lost his
presence of mind for q moment, was
communicating with the cnsihc-ro,m,
he ma 10 sign 10 the second officer,
whoSslled Snt; "Man overheard! Stand
by 10 loweTaway the gig The sailors
who were ON deck ran to obey this or
der. A boats crew Of four hands and
a coNswain were at once ready. The
boat was safely lowered. and the
men were nj their oars. Before she cast
of the coxswain cried: Il want a man
for the boats bow. Mickey, the fire.
man, waited for no orders, but. laying
hold of the ropes, swung himself over
aud slid down into the bow of the boat,
which at once rowed quickly away. BE-
fore il set or Mrs. Perrcpoint ran over
10 the side and threw down into tho
boats stern the Scotch plaid on which
her husband hal been lying.
Mrs. Pierrepoint was quite calm; but
the other passengers seemed afraid To
approach her; they lid not know Just
what TO say-whcther Ia congratulate
| her on her husbands daring or to con-
dole with her upon his danger. Some
Of the ladies were in Mysteries; all were
watching with the greatest concern the
course OF the body, and trying to make
out the child and the swimmer among
the waves far astcrn; for the steamer
had run more than quarter Of II mile
before the boat was ready 10 leave her.
The men i'm the boat rOwed fierccly.
The passengers could see the coxswain
and the bowman standing up, trying 10
distinguish something where the waves
lifted; but even with glasses they could
see nothing Of the swimmer.
A famous General, who had marched
with great army to victory. was on
board. He did not know the Pierre
points; hut he came up now TO Mrs.
Pierrcpoint and, holding his hat in his
hand. said: MADAM, your brave nus
band has done noble act. Ii is grand
10 see such pluck and dash. trust YOU
will have him back soon. viii YOU
come up ON the bridge beside the Cap
tain, where you can have much better
outlook over tho sea; and, perhaps, you
will make use Of my binocular?"
'Oh, thank YOU. she said. IL shall
be glad to have your glass and 10 go on
the bridgc-if the Captain allows ms, "
she added, smiling. but don't think
NV husband Is in danger; he has often
been long time in the water, and can
swim well in his clothes. There is still
plenty of light for the boat TO find him.
only hope he may catch that dear little
child in time. Tho boat should reach
them SOON" r.
The General lei Mrs Pierrepoint mp
TO the bridge and said a word to the
Captain. The Captain at once came
over. saying: The boat is close TO
them now; 1 saw them less than min
ute ago through my glass ON top of
wave"
..Do YOU sec them? Are they toscth-
erl" asked Mrs. Pierrepoint.
YES" replied the Captain; at De.
! lieve they are" But his voice was now
broken. and he took hold OF Mrs. Pier
repoint's hand. IL watched my child