Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-06-25

them Jump clear Of the fire, and our
boats could pick them up Most OF
them did this and were saved without
heins hurt, hut they were badly fright.
enGd
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 n white
haired cid man, standing with his arm
around the shoulders OF n young girl,
fle seemed TO be urging her 10 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. we'll as the captain,
Before the man had finished talking,
Commander Ried had drawn his cap
down over his ears and Numbered an
order 10 take him alongside the lated
boat
You can't set 10 them now the
rest az MS said,
I STALL do II or perish in tho at
tempt shall save those people ut all
hazards, replied Ricd Curily.
I am afraid your own life viii pay
the forfeit. my boy, the captain said,
but he did not Interfere with his lieu
terant commanders orders,
II should not regret chat, captain.
for il is not a lie worth living ut best.
The sailors dared not dlsobey, and
pulled quickly us near the burning YES
sci ~ possible.
Putting on a heavy pair of leather
gloves 10 protect his hards from the
heat Ricd sprang like a cat from the
bow Of the boat. catching at the only
place on the side of the vessel that was
not enNeloped 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 10 the pmcky
! syl who had faced death rather than
i leave her fathe" to die alone.
i Reaching the place where the small
boats were lowering near as possible.
he tied n 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. It was
hard lines for n man with broken leg
+ to be thus dealt with, but II was that or
j roasting alive, and the captain was man
enough to feel nothing but the graft
tude due his resCucr.
- shall surely save your child,
Ried said to the poor father when he
! insisted upon his daughters being
saved first, even II he had to be left to
his fate. Taking the slender young
form in his arms, the lieutenant made
Il fearful leap, barely escaping the
scorching flames. which seemed like
angry demons cheated of their prey.
Down, down, into the dark waters they
sank, closely claspod IN each o'hrrN
arms
THE sailors and the half cla2ed
father were afraid they had only oa-
capped The cruel flames to find grave
in the angry sea, for it seemed n long
time before they arose to the surface
after thai terrible leap for life
AT last they were seen by the eager
watchers, who lost no time in grl lng
them into the boat and rowing rapidly
to the ship, where ready hands helped
10 care for the sufferers, II was not
long before the surgeon had done his
part. The old captains leg was set
and he was sleeping from exhaustion
The daughter had been unconscious
when they took her from the COM
mander's arms, but she was unhurt
and was given a stGtoroOm, where she
was ordered by the doctor to get into
bed while her wet clothing was dried
and pressed, as there was no possible
chance to replenish Ler wardrobe until
we landed, unless, Ike the new woman
she was willing 10 don masculine at
tire
Until he had seen his charges well
cared for, Red did not speak of his own
sufferings, which must have been al
most unbearablc, as his hands and arms
were so badly burned the scars will
never leave them entirely. He had
been obliged to cling TO the side OF The
vessel while on his errund OF mercy
and did not dare TO let 70. even when
the iron bands took the skin off his
hands, burning deep into The flesh.
we were all full Of curiosity about
the maiden, Of whom we had only a
slight glance before tho mattcr-of fact
doctor spirited her away That one
glance was enough 10 show that she
was a beauty, and we all felt cnvious
Of Ried who we declared would never
half appreciate the advantage he had
as the man who had saved her life and
that of her crippled father.