A large merchantman was passing out of the harbor at the time with all sails set, and the rash act of the poor suicide was witnessed by the sailors on the deck.
Without a moment's hesitation one gallant fellow jumped overboard and swam toward the drowning girl.
He succeeded in reaching her as she was about to sink, and held her up, until a boat from his ship came to her rescue.
Adéle and her brave preserver were picked up and conveyed to the vessel, she being in a dead faint.
"Holy Virgin!" exclaimed the sailor, as his eyes fell more closely upon the girl's features. "It is Adéle Bellefontaine, from my village of St. Ange, just as sure as my name is Jacques Belot and she was the only girl I ever loved, until she married that scoundrelly Englishman, who deserted her. If it had not been for Adéle, here, I should never have gone to sea."
"What are we to do with her?" asked the captain. "The wind and tide are against us and it is bad luck to put back."
"Take her with us, captain," said Jacques, who was a fine, handsome young sailor.
"It is bad luck to have a would-be suicide on board," remarked the boatswain.
"Ah! bah! you old croaker," replied Jacques. "How do you know the girl intended to kill herself?"
"I saw her deliberately jump into the sea."