St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-05-07

would have risket life to save lite.
But how are we to reach them from
this height! 2"
"How far are we above water !"
This rock goes down like wall
40 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
minutes down there; ia first wave
will dash you on to ia rocks, and
dash you to pieces. Plenty OF US
would put you down, sir, but you
can't swim il you do get down"
do you know, old man, what surf
swimming is? have dived through
the surf at Nukuheva."
"God bless you, sir. | thought no
white man could do the same"
While this conversation was going
on Jones was divesting himself OF all
supelhuous clothing and cutting out
the sleeves of his pea jacket with his
pocket knife. This done, he passed
some light strong rope through
them. The men watched him with
eager interest, and, seeing their
inquisitive looks, he said:
THE thick sleeves will prevent the
rope cutting my body"
cay, 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 a
cradle, ! suppose!'
SAY, ay, sir. But how are you
going to reach the water?"
Il am going to plunge down. |
have dived from the mainyard OF the
Ajax before this. 1t was as high a
leap"
He passed a double coil of the rope
around his waist, examined it thor
oughly to see that there was plenty
to start with, and saying Now,
friends, stand out of the way, and
let me have a clear start" he raised
his bare head one moment toward
heaven, and taking short run,
eaped as if from the springboard oil
plunge bath.
Such an anxious crowd followed
that leap. Great numbers, in spite o.
the dangerous wind, lay fat on theil
breasts and watched him. He strucl
the water at least twenty five fee
beyond the cliff, and disappeared il
its dark, foamy depth. When he ros'
to the surface he saw just before hin
a gigantic wave. but he had time tt
breathe, and before it reached him h,
Owed below its center. 1t broke il
passionate fury upon the rocks, bu
ZONES was far beyond it. A might,
cheer from the men on shore reached
him, and he now began in good ear
nest to put his Pacific experience int,
practice.
Drawing continually on the men 70
more rope-which they paid out wit
deafening cheers-he met wave afte
wave in the same manner, divin
under them like an otter, and gettin
nearer the wreck with every wave
really advancing more below tn
water than above it.
Suddenly the despairing men o
board heard clear, hopeful voice:
Help at hand, Captainl Thro,
me buoy"
And in another minute or tw
, Zones was on deck, and the cheers
the little steamer were echoed by IL
cheers of the crowd on land. The
= was not moment to be lost; 81
, was breaking up fast; but it toe
] but few moments to fasten a cab
/. to the small rope and draw it {
0 board, and then a second cable, al
v the communication was complete.
Y There is lady here, sir" said t
IT captain, I'VE must rig chair f
t her; she can never walk that da
d gerous rope"
" "But we have not a moment
waste, or we may be all lost. Is $
very heavy"
If "a slight little thing; half a chi
n sir"
IS Bring her here"
This was no time for ceremon
id without a word, save few senten,
as OF direction and encouragement,
nc took her under his left arm, al