Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-05-28

about To die. declare my innocence.
know the guilty person. but decline. MS
! have always declined. TO tell"
Turner stood on the gunwale and
MS the stern rose was quickly lowered
with wire rope aud. perching him
self on the ruddcr. cndcayorcd to pass
II through the ring. Before he could
do so the stern descended. bearing him
with II. Nccks were craned over the
rail TO see. when the ruddcr rose again
II he would still be there. Few be
llcvcd that he would But as the stern
came up there he was. his knees press.
ing the vessels sides. his hands clutch.
ing the ring.
A wave swung the ruddcr 10 star.
board. and the man on 1t would have
been dashed against the side of the
ship had he not saved himself by
throwing himself ON the other side.
Before II was swung In the reverse
direction down he went again toward
the bottom of the ocean. When Nc
came up. holding the ring by one hand
he tried TO pass the rope through II,
but the ruddcr was not still long
enough for him TO do so. lie was not
only becoming benumbcd with the cold
bath, but must be ever watchfu TO
avoid being banged against the side
of the vessel. which would. TO say
the least. have dislodgcd him.
And so he continued 10 fight for the
lives of the fifty or more people slow
~ drifting toward the breakers, whose
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 his at
tempt TO put tho rope through the
ring Of the swaying rudder. Then.
when he had failed and gone down
again, on rising he let 80 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 ut It, caught It 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 aud bcnumbed
by the cold. to succeed when II had
taken so long TO attach the first ropeE
II 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 chung to the
rudder. watching TO avoid being dash
ed against the ship. trying 10 put the
second rope In place.
And so, sometimes swinging nj 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-
durc another swing In the blast or an
other dive In the ocean he would think
Of that life behind bars which was de-
thronng his reason and he would per-
severe.
At last a feeble call from below an
nounccd 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 tine convict shackled In place.
and when this was done he was drawn
up.
As he appeared above the taffrail n
fttt ha dill hnnr
It. The moment his work was done
he tainted. Liquor was poured down
his throat. and he was hurried below.
There lie was stripped OF his soaked
clothing and put into hot blankets.
While he had been at his work men
ON deck had dashed boom across the
poop. projecting on each side. The
rudder chains were passed through
pulley blocks AT each end of the beam
and around drum made by boarding
over the s,caring gear. The moment
the ends OF the chains were attached
10 the ring the rudder was made scrv-
iccablc. and the ship was turned from
the white line where now, but n mile
away, the mad waves were tossing
their heads MS II disappointed at los
ing their prey.
When Turner came on deck again he
was dressed In q suit OF the first mates
clothes. and every one pushed forward
10 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 II
pardon. But Turner told them that he
preferred TO remain aboard the ship.
which. after touching NJ New York.
was to sail for foreign land. So
great was his dread of return 10
prison that he determined 10 lose him
self In u country where he would not
be known.
Under the improyised steering gear
the ship wcathered the gale and made
her way to Philadelphia. where she
put IN for repairs. and her passengers.
going ashore. took land route to their
different destinations. Before leaving
the ship they held meeting and col
lected considerable sum to be paid
the man who had saved their lives.
But when they came 10 turn the gift
over TO him he declined II. saying that