A SAILOR HERO.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1913, 23 July 1886, Page 3

A SAILOR HERO.

The wreck of the Ly ee-moon the other day furnished several incidents of heroism that should be known far and wide. Here is one. Fotheringham, tba second mate, after weighing all the chances, thought he could reach the shore. He knew that physically lie had vigour, activity aod force which probably no other man on board possessed. He wea convinced he could save his own life if he were unencumbered. But when he next spoke it was to offer to carry a line with him. That made all the difference, and he knew it. Without a rope he was confident he could reach the land safely. With a rope to drag he knew that his chance was scarcely worth reckoning. But it was a chance for safety for all. No rope was at hand, and at this moment a woman intervened. Clinging to the man who was offering his life was a lady, a passenger. She begged piteously that he would take her with him. In rain it was pointed out to her that she wou'd stand a far better chance of being saved were he to get a line ashore. Vainly the slender hope of both reaching the rooks was urged. She pleaded hard, and still there was no rope forthcoming. The man yielded. Together the man and woman moved down the sloping deck to the water’s edge. Firmly the lady promised not to cling or hamper her would-be rescuer’s movements. And, as together tbe pair stood waiting whi'e the man watched for the lull in which to make the desperate venture, the poor lady calmly asked whether their chance would be improved were she to disrobe. And the man answered gravely and frankly, *• Madam, it would.” And the brave woman removed all but her lightest garments. The lull rnme. “ Now jump,” said the man ; and without a second of hesitation the woman leaped into the foam. Bravely she kept her word. She neither clung nor grappled. With one arm around her, the man battled with the other, as often under as above the surface He drew her to the rocks ; his hand was on thtir face, but a huge surf towered over them. “ Grip the rock ; cling for your life I" he gaaped. “ I can’t!” came feebly from the exhausted creature’s lips. In another instant, torn from the rocks, whirled swiftly away, the pair, still undivided, were ont to seaward in the waves, further from shore than the wreck they had left. Another billow, and they were again almost in reach of the rocks. The man struggled mightily. A element's respite and he would jet have accomplished his object. But a floating spar—a-thud—a spurting •f sickening warmth upon his face —a corpse in his arms—and then a blank interval of mechanical’ struggles, till consciousness revivi cl with a start as his hands grasped something—a human leg ! Had it been withdrawn, the man’s fate was sealed. It was not withdrawn. Breath came back, and aftpr some moments of mere weak obliging the man was able—just able—to crawl up to the place on the wreck he had so recently quitted.