Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-06-08

he was stretched out in n faint on the
thwarts Of the boat. For 100 minutes he
had fought the waves with the woman IN his
arms, and only his splendid strength and
his powers as u swimmer had kert him alive
to buoy herup. They were taken back to the
ship, and the next morning Lane reported
for duty again, but the woman Ind not en-
tirely recovered when she was landed at
Mazatlan, whittier she was bound.
The intrepid Sailors next exploit occurred
in connection with the same ship on her
second succeeding voyage southwark and
off the same port of Mazatlan. In the teeth
Of q terrific gole the captain attempted to
enter the harbor, and the vessel ron upon
the rocks 800 yards from shore. Her pound
ing soon opened hole in her bottom and
she begun settling fast. There were over
POO people on board, and as there is no life
saving service on the Mexican coast and the
sea was running too high to permit boats
being launched the captain and his officers
abandoned themselves to despair
In this dircful emergency Lane again
came to the front with his iudomitable
courage and resource. lie offered to try to
swim ashore with u line, and the captain
accepted the desperate chance Fastening
n light coil of rope to his body Lane plunged
into the mighty breakers, and in half an
hour the tautening of the line convinced
those who held it ON the ship that lie had
reached land and had made it fast.
A stout hawscr was rugged to the slender
line that, too, was drawn ashore. \ life
car was improvised, and before the 'uOrn-
ing dawned the passengers and ere were
safely landed upon the Mexican shore.
News of this latest exploit of Lane spread
throughout the land. Tho Massachusetts
l.. b., 3 4
him gold medal. The navy department
was informed Of his heroism, and the facts
being brought to the attention OF Secretary
| Tracy he ordered that Lanes sentence Of
disgraceful discharge from the navy be re-
volled. that be be restored to his rank, pay
and honors, and that he be allowed to hon
orably retire from the service if he should
so elect.
1t was n proud moment for Lane when,
on July 20, 1880, on the scene Of his dis
| grace at Mare island navy yard, he was
again equipped with his uniform; his med
ais replaced upon his breast and he heard
the order of the secretary of the navy read
in the presence of the whole staff of the
yard and his shipmates of al The war YES
sells then lying there lie chose TO accept
his retirement from the navy with honor,
and is now trusted officer i'll the employ
of the California Navigation company
Jim Lane walked into his old home on
Wednesday afternoon. He had been grant
ed furlough of month by his California
employers, and he had determined to spend
it among his relatives in the east, whom lac
had not seen since 1871, when lie ran away,
then not much more than boy, to enlist in
the navy. When he stepped up to the Lane
house and knocked at the door LIE met d
buxom, rosy faced lass, who asked him
what he wanted there
Il want to see Michael Lane, if he Is
alive" Jim responded.
lie was invited in, and in the parlor he
was brought face to face with a very OLD
man, who raised himself feebly erect from
the chair to greet the visitor.
Father, don't you know me? I'm Jim
the traveller cried out, but old Michael Lane
could not remember the features Of his son
At that moment Mrs Mulhearu, Jim's SIS
ter and mother of the girl who had openeC
the door for him. came into the room. Sh'
took one look at the stranger, and then e.,
claiming, Its jim, sure fell into Lii
arms-New York Pres.