Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-06-10

ana tnere are plenty OF inen Who Wouiu
have risket life TO save life. But how
are we to reach them from this heightl"
"How far are we above water9"
"This rock goes down like wall,
forty fathoms, sir. -
"What depth of water at the foot9'
"Thirty feet or more. D."
"Good. Have you plenty of light,
strong ropel"
"Much as you want, sir; but let me
tell you, sir, you can't live three minutes
down there; ia first wave will throw you
on ia rocks, and dash you to pieces.
Plenty of US would put you down, sir,
but you can't swim if you get down."
"Do you know, old mao, what 'surf
swimming isl l have dived through
the surf at Nukuheva.
"God bless you, sirl I thought no
white man could do that same"
While this conversation was going on,
Jones was divesting himself of all super
fluous 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 looks,
he said:
"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. WhenI get on board, you know
how to make a craddle, suppose"
cay, ay, sir; but how are you going
to reach the water2"
al am going to plunge down. have
dived from the main yard of the Ajax
before this. 1t was as high leap"
He passed a double coil of the rope
round his waist, examined it 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 toward heaven,
and, taking a short run, leaped, as from
the spring board Of plunge-bath.
Such an anxious crowd as followed
that leapl Great numbers, in spite of
the dangerous wind, lay fat on tueir
breasts and watched him. He struck
the water at least twenty-five feet beyond
the cliff, and disappeared in its dark,
fosmy depths.
When he rose to the surface, he saw
just before him gigantic wave, but he
had time to breathe, and before it
reached him he dived below its center.
1t broke in passionate fury upon the
rocks, but Jones rose far beyond it. A
mighty cheer from the men on shore
reached him, and he now began in good
earnest to put his Pacific experience iuto
practice.
Drawing continually on the men for
more rope-which they paid out with
deafeuing cheers-he met wave after
wave in the same manner, diving under
them like an otter, and getting nearer
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:
"Throw me buoy!'
And in another minute or two Jones
was on the deck, and the cheers on the
little steamer were echoed by the cheers
of the crowd on the land. There was
not moment to be lost; she was break
ing up fast; but it took but few min
utes to fasten a strong cable to the small
rope and draw it on board, and then a
second cable, and the comm unication
was complete.
"There is lady here, sir" said the
Captain. "We must rig up chair for
her. She can never walk that danger.
Gus road"
"But we have not a moment to waste,
or we may all be lost. Is she very
heavy"
CA slight little thing; half a child,
sir" -,
"Bring her here"
There was no time for ceremony.
Without a word, save few sentences OF
direction and encouragement, he took
/ her under his one arm, anu steadylng
himself by the upper cable, walked on
the lower with his burden safely to the
shore. The crew rapidly followed, for
in such moments of extremity the soul
masters the body, and all things become
possible.
There was plenty Of help waiting for
the half-dead seamen aud the lady, her
father aud the Captain had been put in
the carriage of Squire Braddon, of Brad
don, and driven rapidly to his hospitable
hall. Jones, amid the confusion, disap
peared. He had picked up an oil-skin
coat and cap, aud when every one turned
to thank their deliverer, he was gone.
No one knew him. Ia an hour the