Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-28
SAVED BY A MIRACLE.
RESCUE OF A SAILOR BY A NAIL
IN >. PIECE OF WRECkAGE.

On the ksochs-bufhng the Mountainous
Waves and Fighting the Undertow.
Rather less than twenty wears ago there
lived in Oregon City coterie of young
men who were distinguished for their ex-
ceilence IN athletic sports, in which they
TOOK pleasure and pride The acknowl-
edged leader of this band of athletes was a
tall, we'll formed and splendidly developed
youth, the nobility of whose physique had
been enhanced by every kind of manly
exercise. he was pre-eminent in the arts
OF swimming and boating, and was never
SO happy as when in or on the water
upon the arrival of the time when it be-
came necessary for him to choose an occu-
patton, true to his first love he elected to
follow the sea, and accordingly shipped be-
lore the mast on merchant vessel. In
this capacity the next four years of his life
were passed, and at the end of the period
he became thoroughly convinced that a
sailors life was no sinecure. He stuck to
the ship, however, and his natural ability
procuring him promotion he rose step by
step until he became first officer.
The clipper ship Elizabeth sailed through
the Golden Gate, and her register bore the
name of w. c. Barclay, first mate. Omit
ting the events of the voyage. the ships re-
turn and her subsequent loss on the Ten
nessee rocks, the thread of the narrative
may be gathered up on the forward part of
the deck after the ship was broken in
twain. When in the bow little group of
men surrounded the first officer, who had
removed his boots in partial preparation
for the unknown developments of the dis
aster.
Almost before he had time to think of
the future or TO appreciate the perils of the
situation huge wave swept all into the
Wild waste of waters below and Barclay
sank under the pillows. Upon reaching
the surface again he struck out from the
doomed vessel with all the power and skill
of his boyhood days.
PLUCKY FIGHT.
Throughout his terrible battle with the
waves which followed, the intrepid sailor
continued cool and wary, and his first
thought was, as he relates his awful eXper-
fence, to avoid the dangerous network of
rigging in the vicinity of the doomed YES
sci.
Accordingly he swan about forty yards
to the northward, when he seized a float
ing plank and headed FOR the shore, which
could be plainly seen about 200 yards away
from the struggling seaman fighting for
his life with the angry waters In another
moment solid green wall of water tow
cred over him, crushed him and drove him
down into the depths, where the undertow
dragged him still further down and held
him. BY sheer muscular effort he fought
his way slowly to the surface, where a
floating spar struck him sharply on the
forehead.
With a breath of air his caution re-
turned, and removing his vest he held that
garment in one hand as a shield for his
face and head. Not many seconds had
passed when another giant wave, pitiless
in its dark green robe, again drove him to-
ward the bottom, and the undercurrent
seized him i'll tight embrace as before
With another struggle he emerged from
beneath the waves, only to be dashed again
below.
After every ascension Mr.. Barclay with
little difficulty laid hold of pieces of float
ing wood and endeavored to rid himself of
his involuntary salt draughts and to re-
gain his breath. These respites were mo-
mentary, and ere he could swim more than
few yards a monster billow would send
him downward again.
So he labored on, swimming, sinking,
gasping, struggling, fighting against what
seemed TO be his fate. He dare not dive
beneath the breakers for fear of striking
some floating wreckage. His fight was not
alone with his arm, but also with his brain,
against the combined forces of sea and
storm, and it seemed impossible for him to
conquer in the unequal combat As he
neared the shore his danger was increased
instead of diminished. His enemies found
other allies in the towering rocks, and in
the treacherous powders beneath the
waves.
SAVED By NAIL
He turned about and approached the
rocks feet foremost. He was dashed against
them, and one foot was cut and bruised by
the sharp stone, and then he was carried