Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-26

distant roar could now be family hearu
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 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 it, caught it and this time passed
the rope through it.
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 it had
taken so long to attach the first rope?
1t 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
rpdder, 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 a 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 a
shout was raised. But he did not hear
it. 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 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 a drum made by boarding
over the stearing gear. The moment
the ends of the chains were attached
TO the ring the rudder was made sery-
iceable, and the ship was turned from
the white line where now, but mile
away, the mad waves were tossing
their heads as If disappointed at 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 a
pardon. But Turner told them that he
preferred to remain aboard the ship.
which, after touching at New York,
was to sail for a foreign land. So
great was his dread of a return to
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
put I'm for repairs, and her passengers.
going ashore, took land route to their
different destinations. Before leaving |
the ship they held a meeting and col |
lected a considerable sum to be paid |
the man who had saved their lives |
But when they came TO turn the gift |
over TO him he declined IT, saying that |
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