Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-06-07
NUMBER %.

came up. holding the riUg H. one han!.
he tried to pass the rope through II.
but the rmdder WAS not still long
enough for him to do 80 lie was not
only becoming benumbed with the cold
bath, but must be ever watch:u! 10
avoid being banged against The s!de
Of the vessel. which would. TO say
the least. have dislodged him.
And so he continued to tight for fhe
lives of the fifty or more people SLOW
ly drifting toward the breakers, whose
distant roar could now be family heard
above that Of the wind. Every time
he was carried down he came up with
shorter breath and more exhausted.
But every time he renewed bis at
tempt to put the rope through the
ring Of the swaying rudder. Then.
when he had failed and gone down
again, on rising he let go the ring to
rest swinging. soaked with Ice water
and pierced by the cold wind.
at last. watching his opportunity
when the ship plunged and the stern
rose. swinging with the ring. he grasp
ed at 1t, caught 1t and this time passed
the rope through 1t.
Half his work had been done.
Another wire rope was given HIM.
but how could he hope. having lost so
much of his strength and benumbed
by the cold. to succeed when II had
taken so long to attach the first rope?
It was period Of terrible suspense for
those drawing near those dreadful
breakers. whose roar was now every
moment growing louder. Again he
made his dives: again he clung TO the
rudder. watching to avoid being dash
ed against the ship, trying to put the
second rope in place.
And so, sometimes swinging AT the
end Of his rope and sometimes taking
his cold baths. he kept on trying The
knowledge that lives depended upon
his success gave him strength, but
whenever he felt that he could not en-
dure another swing in the blast or an
other dive in the ocean he would think
of that life behind bars which was de-
throning his reason and he would per-
severe.
At last q feeble call from below an
nounced to those above that the Sec
ond wire rope had been passed through
the ring. To the ends Of these ropes
those on deck passed heavy chains.
which the convict shackled In place,
and when this was done he was drawn
up.
AS he appeared above the taffrail
shout was raised. But he did not hear
II. The moment his work was done
he tainted. Liquor was poured down
his throat. and he was hurried below.
There he was stripped OF his soaked
clothing and put into hot blankets
While he had been at his work men
on deck hnd lashed boom across the
poop. projecting on each side. Inc
rudder chains were passed through
pulley blocks at each end Of the beam
and around drum made by boarding
over the stearing gear. The moment
the ends of the chains were attached
to the ring the rudder was made serv'
iceable, and the ship was turned from
the white line where now. but mile
away, the mad waves were tossing
their heads as II disappointed ut los
ing their prey.
When Turner came on deck again he
WAS dressed IN a suit Of the first mates
clothes, and every one pushed FORWARD
TO grasp his hand and shower bless
ings upon him. Each and every per-
son vowed not to betray him. and
some suggested means OF obtaining
pardon. But Turner told them that lie
preferred to remain aboard the snip.
which, after touching at New York,
was to sail for foreign land. SO
great was his dread OF a return 10
prison that he determined to lose him.
self In a country where he would not
be known.
Under the improvised steering gear
the ship weathered the gale and made
her way to Philadelphia. where she
nut I'm for repairs. and her passengers,
going ashore, took a land route TO their
different destinations. Before leaving
the ship they held meeting and col
lected considerable sum to be pad
the man who had saved their lives.
But when they came to turn the gift
over to him he declined 1t. saying that
he did not need money beyond what he
might be supplied with from friends
who knew him to be innocent OF any
crime and who would gladly furnish
him with all his necessities.
Turner remained aboard the vessel
during her stay at Philadelphia and
while she touched at New York. He
occupied a cabin Of one Of the mates.
where he kept himself hidden while
the ship was In port. Then when her
PROV was turned eastward he came
out and rejoiced in being once more
free man.
Years after the convict's escape the
person who had perpetrated the crime
for which Turner had beer impris-
oned. on promise Of Indemnity. owned
himself to H. the guilty party. Then
Turrcr accepted - pHrdan.