In the homeward voyage of the Atlantic fleet, on its cruise around the
world, a historian of its experiences tells of a rescue of one of the
sailors in a great storm that arose. The storm was at its height and
there ran through the fleet a report that the _Minnesota_ had
lost a man overboard. The signal, indicating that fact, went up to the
foremast and the fleet stopt.
Could they save the man? It was noticed that the _Minnesota_
swung around a little, as if to afford a lee, and the _Vermont_
following held true. A life-buoy had been thrown to the
struggling man, and he, being a good swimmer, caught it, and
drifted down toward the _Vermont_. Those on the _Vermont_ saw
him and ran their bow up close to him, turned it a little so
as to afford shelter, and were preparing to lower a boat for
him. A life-line was thrown overboard, and, to the astonishment
of those on the _Vermont_, the man left the life-buoy and swam
for the line. Those on board shouted to him not to do it; but
he took the chance, swam to the life-line and wrapt it around
his wrist and was drawn on board the _Vermont_. The next day we
heard that there was a similar rescue by the _Kentucky_ of a man
lost from the _Kearsarge_.
The imminent danger caused strenuous exertion. Similarly the man in
moral peril can only keep out of danger by exerting all his powers.
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