At this time his passion for life saving amounted to a craze.

He studied long and deeply on the best method to attract the world's attention.

At last he struck upon a plan which he considered a good one and which he determined to put into execution at the close of the life saving season.
In the fall of 1874 he proceeded to New York.

He spent a week with his mother, to whom, however, he did not confide his intention, fearing that it might worry her.

His plan was to take passage on an outward bound vessel and when two hundred miles off the American coast to drop overboard and make the best of his way back to land.