The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-06

| I have always declined, to tell.
Turner stood on the gunwale and as
| the stern rose was quickly lowered with
a wire rope and, perching himself on
the rudder, endeavored to pass II
through the ring. Before he could do
| 50 the stern descended, bearing him
| with it. Necks were craned over the
rail to see, when the rudder rose again,
II he would still be there. Few be-
lieyed 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 rudder to star
board, and the man on 1t would have
| been dashed against the side OF the
ship had he not saved himself by throw
ing himself on the other side. Before
| it was swung In the reverse direction
down he went again toward the bottom
Of the ocean. When he came up, hold
ing the ring by one hand, he tried to
pass the rope through it, but the rudder
was not still long enough for him to do
so. He was not only becoming benumb-
ed with the cold bath, but must be ever
| watchful to avoid being banged against
! the side Of the vessel, which would, to
say the least. have dslodged him.
And so he continued to fight for the
lives of the fifty or more people slow
ly drifting toward the breakers, whose
distant roar could now be family heard
/ a al of hn yUin6 m
! he was carried down he came up with
| shorter breath and more exhausted.
I But every time he renewed his attempt
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
4 rose, swinging with the ring, he grasp
ed at it. caught 1t 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 bis strength and benumbed
by the cold. to succeed when 1t had
taken so long to attach the first rope?
1t was a 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 dc
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 taffrall q
shout was raised But he did not hea,
1t. The moment his work was done
he tainted. Liquor was poured dowr
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 mer
on deck had lashed boom across the
poop, projecting on each side. The
rudder chains were passed through
pulley blocks at each end of the beam
and around IA drum made by boarding
over the stearlng gear. The momen,
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 a mile
away. the mad waves were tossing
their heads as IL disappointed at losing
'ucll prey
When Turner came on deck again be
was dressed in 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, anG
some suggested means of obtaining &
pardon. But TurnAr told them that hc
preferred to remain aboard the shin
which, after touching at New York
was to sail for foreign land S,
great was his dread of return t,
prison that he determined to lose him
self In country where he would no
be known
Under the improvised steering geaI
, the ship weathered the gale and mad,
her way to Philadelphia. where sh,
put in for repairs, and her passengers
going ashore, took land route to theil
different destinations. Before leavinf
81 in fhnx hold