The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-01
LIFE SAVING AT SEA.
It Ii Often Dangerous Thing to Do, and
Always Demands Rare Courage.

It Ii Often . Dangerous Thing TO Do, and
Always Demands Rare Courage.
From the Washington Star.
Much imperilling OF life ID demanded
In the m.d-ocean rescue OF a drowning
man. and such am incldent always fur
nishes intense dramafslc interest Tor
the spectator. The Baron de Malortie.
IN a recent interesting work. recalls an
exciting scene he witnessed years ago
while crossing the Atlantic. The ship
was several days out when. one after
noon. he was idly lounging about on
the upper deck.
Suddenly" he says 1T saw a man ep-
preach the bu1wark. He threw over
board some objects-we learned after
wards that they were his Bible and
rosary-aud followed them with a head
er into TIE foamtn'g sea- Man over
boardr I cried. but the storm covered
my voice, and rushed up 10 the bridge
to call the attention of the officer en-
duty to the accident Stop! Half speed
the boat were the affairs OF minute
or two. Volunteers to man the boat!
shouted a young midshipman, cutting
a life boat from the davits. Ten men
came forward for every one wanted,
and, selecting four of the most power
full Tars. the MILDLY was lowering the
boat when a. young doctor, quickly
poclkedng a flask OF brandy for a re-
storative, let himself down one of the
ropes and reached the boat as monu-
mental wave was dashfng over it. The
men pulled with a win and THE gallant
little nutshell fought bravely UP and
down THE mountains of angry waters.
AS to the suicide. he was far astern.
and only from time to time could we
see something like a human form
emerge on the top OF white-crested
waNte.
"Oh. the anxiety with which we
watched both the boat and Its goal!
Disappearing altogether at moments
when we feared we had seen che last
of these noble fellows, another gigantic
wave would toss them UP again like a
cork. 1t was exciting; but the boat
was gaining; nearer and nearer II came,
while we were slowly following In It's
wake.
sTSere! The doctor throws a life belt.
There are only some yards off now. But
no, a cruel wave has tossed them past
the object Of their tremendous efforts.
There, they are throwing round her
nose; the muddy has passed the rudder
to an old quartermaster. and, armed
with boat hooks, he and the doctor
stand ready for action. Another second
and the life belt is hooked; the man Is
grasping 1t desperately; but he has no
strength left; there he slips-all Is fcs''
Just at the critical moment.
sBut who is that jumping overboard
Three cheers for the brave man-it's
the doctor! But he. too, disappears 5:
Are there to be two victims instead OF
one? No! no! And there-hurrah.-
there is the doctor. his prectou sburden
before him. The men pull like mad TO
reaIch the two ere they sink again. The
gallant young MILDLY is watching for
the right moment. More life belts are
thrown. They help the doctor keep
above waiter; another pull and the boat
hook has dome its duty, and while two
of the men stick to their oars the otn-
ers are busy dragging rescuer and res
cued on board.
''The long. cold bath, the fright and
the proximity to death. had wonderful
ly soibered the would-be suicide, whom
remorse for a drunken spree had driven
| to this mad freak. 1t did not require
many restoratives to bring him ito, and
| two hours later he had an opportunity
| of recapitu1ating his adventure, hav-
| ing been condemned to be kept in drons
/ for the rest of the voyage, a well-de-
served punishment for exposing six
valuable lives in this perilous venture.