Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-06-17

are we to reach them from TINS
heights"
How far are we above wsterr
This rock goes down like a wall
forty fathoms, sir"
What depth of water at the foot''
Thirty feet or more
Good. Have you plenty of light,
strong roper
Much as you want, sir; but let me
tell you, sir, you can't live three min
utes down there: ta first wave will
throw you on ia rocks, and dash you
TO pieces. Plenty OF us would putty
down. sir, but you can't swim il YOU
get down"
DO YOU know, old man, what surf
swimming isy | have dived through
the surf of Nukuheva."
"God bless you. sir! | thought no
white man could DO that same"
While this conversation was going
on. Jones was divesting himself OF all
supernuous clothing, and cutting out
the sleeves of his heavy pea jacket
with his pocket-knite. 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.
"Ay, 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. When | get on board,
YOU know how To make CRADLE, |
suppose
"Ay, ay, sir; but how are you going
to reach the water
Il am going to plunge down
have dived from the main yard otthe
Ajax before this 1t was as high
leap
He passed n double coil OF the rope
round his waist, examined il thorough
ly to see that there was plenty to start
with. and saying: Now, friends,
stand out OF the way, and let me have
q clear start" he raised his bare head
toward heaven, and, taking n short
run. leaped, as from the spring board
OF plunge bath.
Such as anxious crowd as followed
that leap Great numbers, in spite
OF the dangerous wind, lay fiat on
their breasts and watched him. He
struck the water at least twenty
five feet beyond the clir, and disap-
peared in its dark, foamy depths.
When he rose to the surface, he
saw Just before him gigantic wave,
but he had time 20 breathe. and be
fore il reached him he dived below its
center. 1t broke in passionate fury
upon the rocks, but Jones rose far be
yond it. \ mighty cheer from the
men on shore reached him, and he
now began in good earnest TO put his
Pacific experience into practice.
Drawing continually on the men
for more rope-which they paid out
with defending cheers-he met wave
after wave in the same manner, div
ing under them like an otter, and get
ting nearer the wreck with every
wave, really advancing, however
more below the water than above 1t.
Suddenly the dispairing men on
board heard clear, hopeful voice
Throw me a buoy
And i'm 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 10 be lost ;
she was breaking up fast; but 1t took
but few minutes TO fasten a strong
cable TO the small rope and draw 1t
on board, and then second cable,
and the communication was com
plete.
There il lady here, sir. said the
Captain. I'VE must rig up chair
for her. She can never walk that
dangerous road.
But we have not a moment 10
waste. or we may all be lost. l. she
very heavy"
"A light little thing; half child
sir"
Bring her here.
There was no time for ceremony.
Without word, save a few sentences
OF direction and encouragement, he
took her under his one arm, and
standing himself by the upper cable,
walked OH the lower with his burden
safely to the shore. The crew rapidly
followed, for in such moments Of eX-
tremity the soul masters the body,
and all things become possible.
There was plenty Of help waiting
for the haIf-dead seamen; and the
lady, her father and the Captain bad
been put in the carriage OF Squire
Braddon, of BraddoD, and driven
rapidly to his hospitabls hall. Jones,
amid the confusion, disappeared. He
had picked up an oil-skin coat and
cap, and when every one turned to
thank their deliverer, he was gone.
No one knew him. In an hour the
steamer was driven on the rocks and
went to pieces, and, it being by this
time quite dark, every one went home.
The next day the hunting party re-
turned from Gwynne Hall, the storm
having compelled them to stop al
night. and at dinner that evening the
wreck and the hero Of IL were the
therne NJ every ones ccayersation.