The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-05-27

man captive, and we all agreed that it
was shame that Reid should capture
such prize, when Inc was the least sus-
ceptible fellow among US he was, in
fact, considered a woman hater, and he
seemed TO shun them upon every occa-
sion, but he got bravely over that after
he rescued the little princess, rs we call
ed her.
Captain Lamond said that Reid
had been one of the jolliest, best liked
fellows in the navy, until an unfortu-
nate love affair few years ago, soured
him so that he was like a different man,
almost unapproachable to most people
who came in contact with him. We
were mighty glad ofthe change in him,
although he coolly cut us all out with
out an effort, while we were trying our
best to win. That he was the bravest
among us no one disputes, and that is
why he is the hero of this tale of reck-
less bravery.
"Whom did you say?" asked Mrs.
Traynor, in low voice, touching his
arm gently.
"Lieutenant Commander Clayton
Reid" replied Bob, wondering at the
look of intense jealousy on the fair face
before him, as she asked the question.
"Whai was this great act of bravery,
that the rest of you dared not do?'
questioned Mrs. Traynor eagerly, draw
ing nearer to the story-teller, as If she
were afraid she might lose word of
he tale in which she seemed to take an
unwonted interest.
II will tell you," said the lieutenant.
Several miles out from our landing at
Yokohama we discovered small ship,
which had run up the signal of dis
tress, and, upon getting nearer, we
could see she was on fire. The wind
was blowing gale, and it was no easy
matter to get within reach ofthe DOOM
cd vessel, but we made every effort to
do so. The flames were growing fierce,
and there seemed no place where the
small boats could run close TO her with
out danger of getting into the fire.
After making several attempts, the
men declared the only way they could
save the people who were crying for
help was TO have them jump clear of
the fire, and our boats could pick them
up. Most of them did this aud were
saved without being hurt, but they
were badly frightened.
Thinking the last of the passengers
and sailors were safely carried to the
ship, we were horror stricken TO see on
the upper deck of the vessel white
haired old man, standing with his arm
around the shoulders of a young girl.
He seemed to be urging her to jump
and save herself, and she was as firmly
refusing to move. One of the sailors
whom we had picked up, said, 'Oh,
that's the captain and his daughter,
Miss Aline. The captain broke his leg
this morning, so he can't jump and the
girl won't leave him. They have no
one else in this world just them two
continued the sailor, and they'll die
game, for the young lady's got plenty of
pluck, as well as the captain
.'Before the man had finished talk
ing, Commander Ried had drawn his
cap over his ears, and thundered an
order TO take him alongside the fated
boat.
"You can't get to them now," the
rest of us said.
~ shall do it or perish in the attempt.
| shall save those people at all haz-
zards," replied Ried curtly.
al am afraid your own life will pay
the forfeit, my boy the captain said,
but he did not interfere with his lieu
tenant commanders orders.
az should not regret that, captain,
for it is not a life worth living, at best
'The sailors dared not disobey, and
pulled quickly rs near the burning
vessel as possible.
Putting on heavy pair of leather
gloves to protect his hands from the
heat, Ried sprang like cat from the
bow of the boat, catching at the only
place on the side of the vessel that was
not enveloped in flames, where he could
hold on to climb TO the upper deck,
which was not yet prey to the fiery
elements. Selling the old captain,
whose strength was nearly gone, our
brave hero half carried half dragged
him to the only spot now left them for
escape.
"'Follow me- he said to the plucky
girl who had faced death rather than
leave her father to die alone.
"Reaching the place where the small
boats were lowering near as possible,
he tied rope securely around the cap
tain's waist; then, calling to the men
to catch him, he swung him clear of
the flames, letting him drop into the
waters below, none too soon. 1t was
hard lines for man with broken leg
to be thus roughly dealt with, but it
was that or roasting alive, and the cap
tain was man enough to feel nothing
but the gratitude due his rescuer.
"'I shall surely save your child,
Reid said to the poor father when he
insisted upon his daughters being saw
ed first, even if he had to be left to his
fate. Taking the slender young form
in his arms, the lieutenant made a
fearful leap, barely escaping the scorch-
ing flames, which seemed like angry
demons cheated of their prey. Down,
down, into the dark waters they sank
closely clasped in each others arms.
4 "The sailors and the half crazed faith
er were afraid that they had only es-
capped the cruel flames to find grave
in the angry sea, for it seemed Ions
time before they arose to the surface
after that terrible leap for life.
"At last they were seen by the eagel