The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-07-28
Only JONES'.


ly-IOuTtn ana ElBnty-IOufln infantry
were sitting around their mess table
IN Castletown the capital of the Isle
Of Man, one evening more than thirty
years ago-that is, all Of them except
cne; but then that was only Jones.
Nobody minded Jones; even his pecu-
llarities had begun TO be an old sub
ject for chatting and indeed he had
paid such small attention to their
chatting that they had come to find it
little pleasure, and after some weeks
Of discomort Lieutenant Jones had
been allowed to choose his own pleas
ufcs without much interference.
These were not eXtravagant. A fa-
vorite book a long walk in all kinds
Of weather and a sail when the weather
was favorable. He would not drink
he said IL hurt his conscience, and he
did not care to flirt or visit the bellies
of the capitalize said 1t hurt his af-
fections. Once Captain De Reuzy lisp
ingly wondered whether it was pos
sible to hurt his honor" and Jones
calmly answered that ut was not pos
sible for Captain De Reuzy TO do So"
Indeed, Jones constantly violated all
these gentlemen's ideas of proper be-
havior, but for some reason or other
no one brought him to account for it.
1t was easier to shrug their shoulders
and call him queer" or say: IT'S only
Jones'" or even quietly to assert his
cowardice.
One evening Colonel Underwood was
discussing a hunting party for the next
day. Jones walked into the room and
was Immediately aceosted
Something new, Lieutenant ] find
there are plenty of hare on the island,
and we mean to give puss a run tomor-
row. l have heard you are a good
rider; will you join us "
You must excuse me, colonel: such
thing is neither in the way of duty
nor my pleasure"
You forget the honor the colonel
does you" said young Ensign Powell.
II thank the colonel for his courtesy,
but can see no good reason for ac-
cepting it, l am sure my horse will
not approve of it, and I am sure the
hare will not like it, and 1 am not a
good rider. Therefore, I should not
enjoy it,"
You need not be afraid" said the
colonel, rather sneeringly; "the coun-
try is quite open. and these low Manx
walls are easily taken"
Excuse me, colonel. | am afraid. If
I should be hurt it would cause my
mother and sisters very great alarm
of doing this"
Nothing could be done with a man
so obtuse regarding cunventioralities,
who had boldly turned away, half con-
temptuously, and Ensign Powell took
Jones placeI
The morning proved to be g. very
bad one, with the prospect of a rising
storm, and as the party gathered in
the barrack yard Jones said earnestly
to his colonel:
Il am afraid. sir, you will meet with
a severe storm"
Il think so, lieutenant. but we prom
ised to dine at Gwynne hall, and we
shall get that far at any rate"
So they road rather gloomily away in
the rain. Jones attended to the mill
tary duties assigned him, and then
about noon, walked seaward. 1t was
hard work by this time to keen his
footing on the narrow quay. but amid
the binding spray and mist he saw
quite a crowd of men going rapidly
toward the great, shelving scarlet
rocks, a mile beyond the town. He
stopped an old sailor and asked:
us anything wrong?"
"A little steamer sir. off the Calf
Of Man. She is driving this way, an
indeed l fear she will be ia rocks
afore tanisht."
Jones stood still a moment and then
followed the crowd as fast as the
storm would let him. When he Joined
them they were gathered on the sum-
NIT of huge cliff, watching the DOOM
ed craft. She was now within sight,
and 1t was evident that her seamen
had almost lost all contro! of her. She
must ere long be flung by the waves
upon the jagged rocks toward which
she was driving. In the lulls of the
wind not only the booming of the min
ute guns but also the shouts of the
imperiled crew could be heard.
What can be done?" said Jones to
an old man, whose face betrayed the
strongest emotion.
Nothing, sir l am afraid. If she'd
managed to rount Ia rocks, she would
have gone to pieces on ia sand and
there are plenty of men who would
have risked life to save life. But how
are we to reach them from this height?
How far are we above water?"
This rock goes down like a wall
forty fathoms. sir"
What depth of water at the foot ?"
Thirty feet or more"
Good, Have you plenty of light.
strong rope?"
Much as you want, sir. But let me
tell you. sir, you can't live three min
dash you on to ia rocks, and dash you
to pieces. Plenty of us would put you
down, sir, but you can't swim If Won
do get down"
do you know, old man, what surf
swimming is? l 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 AL
superfluous 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 in
terest, and, seeing their inquistive
looks he said
THE thick sleeves will prevent the
rope cutting my body"
"Ay, ay, sir ! see now what you
are doing"
Nov, men, have only one request;
give me plenty of rope as fast as I
draw on you. When I get on board,
you know how to make a cradle. I
suppose?"
"Ay, ay, sir, But how are you going
10 reach water?"
II am going to plunge down. I have
dived from the mainyard of the Ajax
before this 1t was as high q leap"
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