The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-07-03
A Stowaway
Deserter
By ALBERT T. KENYON

Ing with passenger. The mate was
conducting n stowaway who had Just
been found concealed In the hold. The
latter was man about twenty years
old and appeared TO he healthy and
strong. He WAS partly dressed In the
uniform Of United States soldier.
On his face was bitter. rebellious
look.
"W'hO are youi" asked the captain
sternly.
"a dcserter."
"You don't seem ashamed Of being
one"
"Nor should I. seeing that had n
tyrant for Il captain"
well. you'1l have to work your way"
The dcscrter.stowaway WAS put
down among the coal beavers. where.
stripped to the waist. he shovcird conf
into the furnace. The ship was OF
Cape Hatteras when her rnddcr post
broke md left her Mt the mercy Of
wind and waves. the former blowing
ulrc'li! MI sloTc' 10 put III new
post At sea im rough weather was mt
to lie thought Of. Some expcdicnt
mr,St he made for gaining stccrage
way temporarily: then the ship must
he taken into port for repairs. The
captain planned TO fix chain TO each
side of the ruddcr. bring IN end AZ
each chain MP OH 10 the deck. attach
both To cnpStnn and thus steer the
ship.
There was heavy iron ring on cach
side OF the rudder. and the intention
was Ia pass rope through the ring
AMI secure an attachment for the
chain to the ring by means OF the rope
But how get the rope through the
rings: When the ships keel was on
a level the rings We're five feet under
wafer. When the ship plunged down
II wave the stern was lifted and the
rings exposed. The problem WIS to
get the ropes through the rings when
they were thus raised above the sur
face The only way was for man TO
be lowered on To the rrddcr. 20 down
with Il and up again. putting the ropes
through the rings when they were Mt
the highest point. To suspend man
for the purpose would not avail. Tie
world likely he dashed against the
stern. To do his work he must elm:
IT. thr rmitIer.
The captain ordered the ships crew
lined lp nn deck and called for volun-
teers TO ,lu the work. Only one man
could work NJ II time. The reason for
calling for n number was that II was
surpassed several would he disabled he-
fore one succeeded.
And 50 II proved. The first man WAS
lost by losing his -riu. The SECOND
was hauled m unconscious. The third
became bcnunIhcd. and the fourth was
killed by being dashed against the
ships stern. That ended the vOiun.
tccring. 50 far us the crew was con
crrncd. and the work had nor been
done.
Then the stnwaway who had come
on deck to See what was goin. on.
stepped forward and offered himself
for the next victim. The vessel was
the coast. and dealt, was
staring all on hoard In the face. The
offer was accepted ns n Inst hone. The
man hId on only trousers and wonlcn
shirt. nni his strength was apparent.
\ rope was lnopcd under his Shout
drrs. the one To he attached was given
him. and when the shin was nhout TO
plunge he was quickly lowered.
ClinginC 10 the rings, knowing thnt
he would not have time TO do his work
before the stern would 20 down. he
waited to I've submerged and rise agnin.
As lie disappeared those leauiug over
the stern 10 watch him wondered II
when the ruddcr came ND he would lie
there. Few expected that he would.
II was Il snnd minute before the rise
came. hut the stowaway came with II.
While the rudder was exposed he ran
the end of the rope through one ring.
Down nEain he went, was gore an
other minute. came nm and this time
passed the rope through the other ring,
4 third time hc sank and rose. and he
fore the stern went down ngain he had
the rope Topped around him. He WIS
pulled up and laid unconscious on the
deck.