The daily Alaskan., 1905-05-12
SAVE HIM"
IOriginall

Kenerson noticed the wages paid to divers and proposed to Fowler, with whom he had become very intimate, that they should learn how to dive. They left the mill and, entering the service of a wrecking company, soon became the most daring among the company's divers.
 Meanwhile Kenerson married, and 1t was said that the marriage was a sad blow to Fowler. But this was made up merely from observation, for neither Fowler nor Mrs Nancy Ken erson ever said word to any one as to how either regarded the other, and, as for Nancy, she chose Tom Ken erson. However this may be, the two men became stronger friends each year until they were more like broth CTS than friends. Ned Fowler was of ten guest at the Kenersous' and al ways conducted himself toward his friends wife honorably.
 Ten years after the two men entered the diving profession Fowler was still in the service of the wrccklng com pany, while Kenerson engaged him self for odd jobs requiring a man of great nerve and experience, for which he received large pay.
 One day Fowler received a tele- gram:
 Tom Is caught under a big weight at the Red Jacket wreck, Come and save him.
 NANCY
 These few words brought up dis tressing picture Co the diver, He saw above water men with anxious faces steadily pumping air, others eagerly watching for any sign from the life line, while perhaps fifty to a hundred feet below lay his friend, held down under a mass of wreckage, hourly get ting weaker, the signals hourly becom- ing fainter.
 It was a three hours journey by the shortest and quickest route, but when Ned Fowler reached the railroad sta ton he found a locomotive with steam up ready to take him to the scene of the disaster, and, flying at the rate of a mile a minute, 1t was but two hours from the time he received the telegram till he was on the float over the sunken Red Jacket. Nancy was there wonder fully cool outwardly, but Ned saw by the imploring glance she gave him how she suffered.
 Nancy" he whispered, tell me that whether or no save him, you'll believe | did my best"
 Save him." was all she would say in reply.
 The helmet was put on, and Fowler getting on the ladder. soon sank out of sight. It was half an hour before he came back and reported that he had found his friend in the hold Of the steamer pinned under an iron frame which had slid down upon him while he was at work. He had taken Toms hand and by a pressure they both knew well assured him that his old crony was with him. The difficulty was to remove the debris. Fowler had at tempted to do SO but had failed Co stir the mass. He had come up to get a rope to attach to it, hoping that those above might lift it.
 Meanwhile the signals on the life line were becoming fainter. Before assum- Ing the helmet a second time Ned whiS- pered to Nancy, who was now a pic ture of despair;
 Nancy, do you believe I am doing my bestT'
 Save him." was again her sole reply.
 The last look those present caught Of the divers face was that of one who had determined to go 10 his death. He had little hope that he would save his friend, and he knew that he could not face his friends wife if he came up alive leaving him dead below. He sank beneath the surface, cable coil on his right arm, which uncoiled as he descended. Within twenty minutes after he had disappeared he gave the signal to pull on the rope, A dozen men took hold; there was a cCeaking; then the beavers went down on their backs in heap-the rope had broken.
 Again the diver came up. His hel- met was removed for consultation. Fowler said that his friend could not be taken out alive unless 1t were done nt once. "Get me an anchor chain" be said.
 There was none on the floats, but in an instant a boat pulled off to vessel lying near and brought the chain. It was lowered and Ned called for his helmet.
 Nancy" he whispered, twill you be satisfied that have done my best with this effortg There will not be time for another"
 Save him." was still her only reply,
 If don't" he replied, "gocdby."
 After awhile-a long whilc-the sig nal was given, and this time the chain held, the debris was removed, and an other signal came to pull up Kenerson. He came to the surface; hls helmet was removed; he was dead.
 But no signal came from Fowler. His rope was pulled up, but nothing came with it. Quick as it could be done a diver who had just come to the float put on a suit, went down and brought up the missing man. He was uncon- scious, having been injured by the