A Royal Life-Saver
p. 34 · Read in the full issue
From a Special Correspondent.
Nukualofa, Feb. 2.
LYING alongside the wharf at Nukua lofa, Tonga, one dark windy night, recently, the motor ship Beulah, one of the vessels that ply between San Francisco and Tongan ports, donned her best in honour of a special party of shore friends.
Everything went on fine up to the small hours, when an old Tongan chief, in try ing to leave the ship, slipped on top of the gangway and fell down the small space between the vessel and wharf.
“Man Overboard!” cried the watchman, as officers and guests rushed to the side.
Torches and spotlights illuminated the scene, but nothing was to be heard or seen. Suddenly, an unknown figure, in full evening dress plunged quickly into the spot where the unfortunate chief was last seen. After much struggling the old man was brought to the surface, and, during the excitement, the hero of the occasion vanished.
Nobody, except his chauffeur, knew that the gallant rescuer was Prince Tugi, con sort of Queen Salote and Premier of the Tongan Kingdom. Only by accident did it become known that the hero was our modest Premier.