The Saint Paul globe., 1898-08-07
STORY OF AN OLD-TIME TAR.
Sailor offered His Own Life to Save
That of His Commanders.

Sailor offered His Own Life to Save
That of His Commander.
From the Indianapolis News.
The naval history of the United
is replete with instances Of individual
Uncle Sans sturdy tars especially dear
to the hearts CT all patriotic Ameri-
cans
One of the most remarkable of these
heroic deeds, the unusual character of
which has given it a special page in
the naval annals of this country, was
that of Reuben James, an ordinary
seaman. who saved the life of his com
mander, the famous Commodore Steph-
en- Decatur, by deliberate act of self
secrifice.
During a battle with Tripolitan war
vessels in the early part of the present
century, Decatur boarded one of the
enemy's ships, to revenge the death of
MS brother, who had been treacherous-
~ Killed by Tripolitan commander.
The latter was singled out for attack
oy decatur, es soon as he got aboard,
ana fierce hand-to-hand conflict en-
sued. The Turk was a large. powerful
man, and grarpled Decatur, both men
falling on the deck. Just then. another
Ir1polltan officer aimed blow with his
sword at Decaturs defenseless head.
Reuben James, an American sailor.
poth or whose arms were temporarily
disabled by wounds saw the impend-
ing blow, and, dashing forward, he in
terposed his own head to save that of
MS daring captain. Fortunately, the
bloW was glancing one, but 1t made
terrible cash In the skull. 1t was a
long time before he recovered from the
effects of the blow. His brave act was
suitably recognized by congress, which
Ci 1crl,1 L.
tinued in active service.
BESIDES being brave man, James
was also a philosopher Of the Dfogenes
type, though he, probably, had never
heard of that wise old mans interview
with the great Alexander When his
injuries had healed, and he was again
ready for duty, James was asked by
Decatur what he could do for him.
The sailor, who was quarter gunner
on the vessel and had charge of the
mems hammocks, touched his hat in
the customary salute, and, after a mo-
ments reflection, replied: Nothing,
sir, as 1 knows on, 'cept you might let
some 'un else give out the hammocks.
when they're piped down.
Reuben James was a true type of the
old-t1me tar, of the kind who looked
upon a mere landsman as an individual
to be pitied, If not despised. He was
native of Delaware, and became
sailor When mere lad. In 1897 he was
captured by French privateer and
suffered hardship. That experience only
intensified his love for life on the
ocean wave, and on his liberation he
shipped aboard the Constellation, in
1893, and he took part in the battle
between that frigate and the French
Warships, Insurgent and VENGEANCE. In
1904 he joined the famous frigate Unit
ed States, and was one of those VINO
volunteered to accompany Lieut.. De-
catur, when that fearless spirit deter
mined to destroy the American war
ship Philadelphia, which had fallen into
the hands of the enemy and lay in the
harbor of Tripoli. He remained under
Decatur's command and took part in
the numerous fierce conflicts which
marked Americas naval war with the
Tripolitans.
He followed Decatur to the Enter
prise, the Constitution and the Con-
gress, and was with him in the United
States when that frigate captured the
Macedonian. He was also with his old
commander aboard the President, when
she had to surrender to a whole Brit
tlsh squadron in January, 1915, on
which occasion James was wounded
three times before he would 90 below
to have his injuries attended to. He
took part in the naval war with AL
glers, and during the long peace that
| Followed he was constantly cruising
about in one or the other of the United
states Warships in the West Indies. the
Mediterranean or the Pacific ocean. He
| used to say that he had taken part in
ten tights and as many scrfmma ges. %