Rocky Ford enterprise., 1900-01-18

night was too black for the men on the
steamer TO see the BLACK Cat"
The captain had taken extra precau-
tion to avoid collision OF any kind.
and half dozen lookouts were dis
tributed throughout the schooner. With.
but half her sails spread to the gentle
night breeze. the BLACK Cat" glided
easily and noiselessly through the
water.
The Royal Mail was now far up the
river. and her lights could Just be dis
tinguished: they lickered, then were
gone. The Black Cat was crossing
the path OF the steamer. not more than
three minutes after she had passed.
Hist" came cry from u lookout
In the bow. Me hear cry-cry-see?
Listen!"
"Ho! Me hear uni" said another
lookout who had strained his ears.
What um be? Man In water?''
Him over there," shouted a fellow
who was as black as the night itself.
''Hark! Hear de same zins over.
Captain Torreyo had rushed forward.
and was listening intently.
Family there came to his ears tho
words. Help. am drowning! Help.
boy In the water" said the captain.
whose ears never deceived him on tho
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 n small boat
resting on the water. with four
swarthy and almost murderous looking
man being from drowning. These men
would take the life OF another as quick
ly as look at him II his life was ncccs-
sary to their own safety. But the cry
for help that came from the black wa
ter OF the river had found n response
In their own hearts. as II might have
found In the hearts OF the mnniicst and
most courageous OF the sailors on a
man-of-war.
When Rob struck the water. after
his sudden plunge from tho deck OF tho
Royal Mall" he went dosn deep into
the river. and for a moment was bcrcft
Of his senses. But this was simply for
tho moment. and up he came again to
tho surface. to battle bravcly for his
life. He saw tho rcccdin. lights OF tho
steamer. and cried ou, as Justify ms he
could for help. But the steamer had
gone too far for his voice to be heard
on board. and II was heard instead by
the men on the BLACK Cat
Suddenly Rob. who was not trying TO
swim. but simply TO keep himself
afioat. which he was able to do. heard
tho plnsh OF oars near him. Then he
heard the voice of man calling out to
him:
"'Hoy! Hoy! Where him bc7''
Here I am" shouted Rob. This
way! This way!"
A few strokes Of the oars brought
tho boat nearer still. and then the boa,
was allowed to drift. while n man
stood In tho bow ready to seize tho
person who needed help rs soon rs he
came In reach.
Light. quick." said this man In tho
bow.
Suddenly n Hicam lit up the dark
ncss. and the rays Of q small lantern
were turned on the water. Rob was
then about ten feet from the boat. Ho
a, once took few strokes toward Il.
He was seized In the strong hands Of
the man In the bow. and in n moment
more was dragged into the boat.
His life had been savcd-by snug.
glcrs.
The lantern was cxtinsuishcd. and
an instant later light was displayed
on the deck of the Black Cat" To-
ward this the men rowcd. and In about
i've minutes more Rob. shivcring.
soggy with soaked clothing. and ready
to shout and laugh and cry all at once.
from his mixed emotions. stood on the
schooner's deck.
ITO bc continucd.)