Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-07-05
HERolsM OF A BOY.
Wonderful Courage Displayed Under Dis.
 heArtsnInG Circumstances.

Wonderful Courage Displayed Under Dis.
 heArtsBIng CircUmstances.
 From a remote part of distant Aus tralia-half the world away from us- a newspaper comes, bearing q strange name, the Capricornian. It devotes sew eral columns to accounts of a boating accident and fatality which occurred at Northampton, Queensland. The head master of the Allentown State School aud his assistant took two pupils out for n holiday excursion round the Kep- pei Islands. One of the boys was landed shortly after setting out; the other re- mained on the boat; his name is Walter Mooney. The boating party left on December 10, intending to make & three weeks cruise, camping out oc- casionally. With the new year the weather became squally and dangerous. One or two waves broke over the boat. Clayton, the assistant, got nervous, be- ing very anxious about the little lad. This won't do," he said, jibbed the sail, and the boat upset. In an instant all three were struggling in the water. Clayton then, showing coolness and courage. dived, cut the stays, and un- shipped the mast. Then both Smith, the head master, and Clayton had to dive for the anchor. When all was got to rights, so far as could be, Walter Mooney was swept away by wave, and had to be rescued. Now, however, it was found that the boat was sinking, and could carry only the boy. They lashed Mooney to the boat, hopeless of ever hearing of him again, bade fare we'll to each other, all three, and the two teachers swan off to the distant shore. Clayton's retriever dog accom- panied them. It had instinctively caught up piece of bacon in it's mouth and kept up with them. Unfortunately all grew tired, and the dog tried to get on its masters back. Clayton thought to kill it, but Smith feared the blood might bring up the sharks in that dangerous sea- At length, sud denly, Clayton and dog disappeared, and Smith reached the island only in time, as a large shark swam past. ''Sensa- tional as was Smiths escape from a wa tery grave" says the Capricornian, 'it Is eclipsed by that of the lad Mooney" It was not supposed that he could sur l vive; the boat was water-logged, and
 the pillows ever. and again broke over
 it in bitter brine. Drifting, drifting
 from 1880 through the long afternoon
 under blazing sun-drifting still, with out food or drink, as the red sun sank
 over the invisible continent-drifting
 through the long watches of the dark
 night, parched with fever of thirst
 famished from q long fasting, drifting
 till the changing form of the SoutherT
 Cross told the turn of midnight was fal
 past. Then the boat was carried to tho
 shore on the impulse of the great waves
 Now came tho peril of perilS. Int place it approached was the most dan
 gerous of the coast Two rough reef
 of rock ran out into the sea, leav
 ing chasm between them. T, run on either rock was cer tain wreck and inevitable death r Tho heaving pillow raised the boat il
 it's irresistible grasp, and with on,
 mighty rush, hurling 1t along, shot il right into the chasm and up on th' , sandy beach in safety-by Gods provi dence. Now, Walter Mooney shook oi
 tho loose lashings, the insecure ties struggled on shore, and fell down or the ground fast asleep, utterly worI 3 out. Early in the morning he wa awake, and was seen walking, in a daze g state, but with tho steadfaSt purpose o
 speeding help to his caStaway friends q By his means Smith was quickly res cued from the desert island, where h' was found-hopeless of succor for a lon l. period, and amazed at the boys escape l Great credit is due and great credit i l. given to the young lad in all the pa I pers. His steadiness in the boat whe I Clayton lost nerve, his courage in tn
 wreck and his stout heart through al the weary day and night of danger T. combined with his promptness of actio l. on land. are all worthy of praise.-Dut - lin Freeman.