Читать книгу Dangerous Dilemmas: Startling but True онлайн

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"It was a lucky thought," I said; "they meant robbing you."

"Yes, and the idea only entered my mind at the moment of departure, when I saw the two coats together."

"Fate was kind to you, but it was a near thing; you mentioned that you were in deadly peril on another occasion."

"That was on the return journey to Europe. You have heard I daresay that the voyage is both long and dangerous. On board with me I had the head of our firm and his eldest daughter, but as I was only a cashier at the time they kept me at a distance. In the midst of a terrific storm our ship got out of her course and was driven on to some rocks close to an uninhabited island. The captain told us that the vessel was doomed, that nothing could save her, and that we must shift for ourselves. The boats that were not smashed when we struck were seized by the sailors. I was a good swimmer and saw that I would not have much difficulty in reaching the shore, but what was to become of the feeble old banker and his helpless daughter? In the hour of trial they looked for me to do something for them. But what was I to do? I could save one of them, I thought, but which? There was no time for deliberation. Scarcely half an hour elapsed before the vessel broke in two and we were thrown into the water. The poor banker made a heartrending appeal to me to save him. 'Oh, haste, I am drowning,' he cried, and on seeing me hesitate between him and his struggling daughter he added, 'Come to me, I have another daughter.' I put a piece of the wreck in the young lady's hands and assured her I would soon return. The banker was much exhausted when I reached him, and in the strong surf we were as nearly as possible drowned, but after repeated efforts I at last managed to drag him up to a place of safety."