Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-03-09

Enl9Ae 49, ~ 1yae ~ t1e Hlo1Se ~ sEMl
sIaaxasr = ~ ~ s1laGk CaG s SSs
TIC caytaSx haA taken sERa pescau-
tisa TO avoid ! csllia6a u any Mind,
ana : halt dossn lookouts wsrs al.
tribpted throughout the schooner. with
but half her sails spread 70 the gentle
night breeze. the "Black Cat" gAdsd
easily and noisslessly through IT,
water.
The Royal Mail was now far MP the
river, and her lights could Just b dis
tinguished; they dickered. then were
gone. Tie BLACK Cat" was crossing
the path of the steamer. not more than
three minutes after she had passed.
Hist" came q cry from = lookout
in the bow. me hear cry-cry-sssi
Listen!"
"Ho! Me hear UNI" said another
lookout who had strained his ears.
What UNI be? Man in water!"
Him over there!" shouted fellow
who was as black AZ the night itself.
"Hark! Hear de same sing over"
Captain Torrevo had rushed forward,
and was listening intently.
Family there came to his ears the
words, Help! I am drowning! HelD!"
boy in the water" said the captain.
whose ears never deceived him on the
water. Hey! Port there! Hard!
Stand by there to rescue! Lower away
a boat"
Men sprang to obey the captain, and
in an instant there was a small boat
resting on the water. with feur
swarthy and almost murderous looking
men in it-for what? TO rescue 4 hui
man being from drowning. These men
would take the life Of another a. quick
ly as look 1T him II his life was lsces-
sary to their ewn safety. But the cry
for help that came from the black VA
ter Of the river had found q response
In their own hearts, a. 1t might have
found in the hearts Of the manifest and
most courageous Of the sailors on .
When Rob struck the water, after
his sudden plunge frsn the deck Of tho
Royal MAIL" hs went down deep into
the river, and for . moment was bereft
IF his senses. But this was simply for
The moment, and up he came again to
The surface. to battle .bravely for Ais
ife. He saw the rsceding lights Of the
and cried out as Justify - he
could for help. But the steamer had
zone too far for his voice to be heard
IN board, and 1t was heard instead BY
he men on the BLACK Cat"
Suddenly Rob, who was not trying to
win. but simply to keep himself
!hoat, which he was able to do, heard
he plash Of oars near him. Then hs
leard tho voice OF man calling out to
i'm:
"'Hoy! Hoy! Where him be-"
Here I ami" shouted Rob. This
ray! This way"
A few strokes Of the oars brought
he boat nearer still. and then the boat
'as allowed to drift. while a man
tsed In the bow ready to seize the
srson who needed help a. soon az no
ane in reach.
Light, quick" said this man in the
ow.
Suddenly a CLEAN lit up the dark
ess, and the rays of small lantern
'ere turned on the water. Rob was
hen about ten feet from the boat. He
t once took q few strokes toward it.
70 was seized in the strong hands Of
10 man in the bow, and In q moment
lore was dragged into the boat.
His life had been saved-by snug
lers.
The lantern was extinguished, and
a instant later a light was displayed
q the deck Of tho BLACK Cat" To-
ard this the men rowed. and in about
We minutes moro Rob, shivering.
oggy with soaked clothing, and ready
} shout and laugh and cry all at once.
ON his mixed emotions, stood on the
:hooner's deck.
(To DO continued.)