The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1951-07-27

all hazards, and besides, the rapidly
multiplying evidences of disaster
urged him on. When he had trav-
eled a little more than two miles
| farther he thought he detected the
sound of voices, and, pausing to
listen, caught the outcries of the
shipwrecked men. He could see
nothing of them or of the wreck,
but dismounting and proceeding
toward the edge of the bank he
soon made out a part of a vessel,
with the forms of several persons
crouching upon it, about hundred
yards distant.
Here was dilemma which called
for the exercise of sound judgment
and faultless courage. Midget had
consumed an hour and half on
his patrol before reaching the
place, and to return to the station
and bring back the lifesaving crew
was to sacrifice three hours more
when every moment was precious.
On the other hand, to undertake to
save the lives of the shipwrecked
men without aid was perhaps to
throw away his own life and leave
them utterly helpless until another
patrol should be attempted, when
all might have persisted. Short
time was spent in deliberation. He
determined to do what he could
alone and without delay.
A Daring Rescue
Selecting the first opportunity
when a receding wave permitted,
he ran down as close to the wreck
as he could and shouted instruc-
tons for the men to jump over
board, one at time, as the surf
ran back, and that he would take
care of them. Then retreating from
the inrushing breakers to the high
or part of the bank, he watched
his chance to approach the wreck
sgain, calling for one man to
Jump. Obeying his instructions
sailor would leap overheard and
Midget, in each instance, would
seize him and drag him from the
pursuing waves safe to the bank.
In this manner, being compelled
co venture closer and closer and
more into danger, he rescued seven
men.
During all those laborous exer-
tions he incurred much danger
from the likely chance that on each
occasion he and his burden might
he caught by the breakers and
swept out to sea. To save these
he must go right down into the sea
close to the wreck, take them off
and carry them bodily to the beach.
Down the steep bank into the very
jaws of death three times he de-
scended and each time dragged
away helpless man and bore him
up out of the angry waters to a
place of safety. Ten lives saved
were the priceless trophies of his
valor. Seven of the men were still
able to walk, and these he sent
forward toward the station, while
the other three he took to safe
place, and after giving his, own
coat to Captain Springsteen, rode
on to summon the aid of his COM
rsdes.
Keeper Pugh was on the beach
when Midget hove in sight, and
upon hearing his amazing story
ordered two of the surfmen to har-
ness horses to their carts and pro-
coed to bring up the disabled men.
The other surfmen he directed to
set up a stove in the sitting room
and make variety of thoughtful
preparations for the welcome of the
ca taways Imagination could
hardly picture more wretched
company. When the vessel first en-
countered the breakers, they were
all sound men, well-clad, with their
clothing securely fastened about
them; but the terrible buffeting
they had sustained had stripped
them almost naked, and their bod
les were bruised, bleeding and
swollen, the sorriest case, perhaps,
being that of Captain Springsteen,
who had received a ragged wound
in the breast, inflicted by the al
most deadly thrust of rough
piece of wreckage. AS the poor fell
lows, hobbled, or were kindly borne
within the hospitable walls of the
station the surfmen quickly took
them in hand, stripped off their
fragments of apparel, washed
their bodies, gently dressed their
wounds, and then clothed them In
dry undergarments and placed
them quietly in comfortable beds
| It was the end Of splendid days
work, we'll worthy of the admira-
ton of the whole people, whose
brave and single-hearted servants
of humanity had performed it.
Captain Erasmus S. Midget, who
bore the noblest part, was subse'
quently rewarded by a gold life
saving medal of honor by the Sec'
rotary of the Treasury, who trans
mitted with it highly commenda.