Young Folks.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 45, 3 February 1894, Page 5

Young Folks.

A BLACK HERO

In Captain Anderson’s book,. “ Among Typhoons and Pirate Craft,’* the author describes a stirring adventure —“ one of the most heroic dee is on record,” he calls it—of which he was a witness off the coast of China. The Earaont, the ship in which he was at that time third officer, had just “scudded across a typhoon, ’* when a dismantled vessel was discovered on the starboard bow.

On her deck four persons could be made out, and while the crew of the Eamont were watching ihera one of the four was seen to jump into the sea and strike out for the Eamont. The crew of the latter ship stood ready -with life-buoys and ropes, and two or three of them with lines about their waists, were prepared to go to the swimmer’s help, if necessary. All hrnds were greatly excited. “ Will he be able to reach us ‘r” was the question on every lip. “He must be a powerful swimmer,” the captain was heard to say. “And he’s got something on his back.” As he made his way toward the Eamont over that seething, foamingabyss, now on the top of the crested wave, now out of sight in the hollow, the eager faces of the hardened crew made a pictux-e not to be fox-gotten. Nearer and nearer he came, till he was within reach of one of the lifebuoys. He clutched it with a fix-m grasp, at the same time casting axx appealing look toward the eager hands that were gently drawing in the linos.

Before lie could touch the side of the Earnout three of the men were overboard with lines in their hands and round their waists. In a moment the brave fellow had a rope passed about him, and was quickly hoisted on deck. The carefully wrapped bundle on his back was opened, and the astonished sailors found inside a beautiful girl two or three years old. She and her preserver were at once taken below, and both were speedily resuscitated under the care of th® captain. By this time the dismantled ship had gone down with all on board. x Sailors know what danger is, and can appreciate a deed of heroism. No sooner were the man and child safe than the crew of the Earnout began to shake each other by the hand as if they themselves had been in danger and had found deliverance. “By George, he is a splendid fellow,” said one. “ Good luck to him for ever,” said another, while some some were obliged to turn away their heads to gulp down a rising lump in their throats. The hero of the story, “ a noble specimen of manhood,” was a negro boj nin Virginia. In early life he had been a slave. “He seemed to b® a man of most affectionate feelings,’" says Mr Anderson, “ and that he had loved and respected his late captain and -wife was evident from the care and tenderness he bestowed upon their orphan child. His name was Daniel Jackson. It deserves to be remembered.