Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-26

Having struggled for some time, he was sensible
that the lines whatever else 1T was that held
HIM, were giving way; he caught bold OF the head
stall of one of the horses, and placing one foot
upon the breast of the horse, cleared himself, and
| began to swim down the stream. 1t was about
midnight, and tic moon had sunk; but there was
sufficient light to that the bans was steep, and
afforded no place to ascend. lie continued to
SWIM down the stream about quarter o 4 mile,
when lac saw Il place that seemed to promise Il
sopmg bank. He made for it. and reached 1t,
found a place where the torrent had washed under
. hl and there was no means OF obtaining rest,
except by Selling upon the roots which projected
from under the bank. lie seized upon a root, but
was soon washed away by the rapid current lie
then went down for Il considerable distance, and
PcrccNlng on the other side place at which he
might make his escape, he MADE almost death
struggle to reach it. lie now almost exhaust
ed, having gone down about "A mile, and having
been thrown into Il small whirlpool, where of
his legs was struck by log rock, which rem
dcred 1t useless i'll swimming, and beng cncum-
bcrcd with his cloak surtout, overhauis, and over
shoes. lie took off his cloak, and Swimming
ms back cndoavorcd TO take off his upper surtout.
This he found he could not do lie then tore the
front of 1T, and finding he could not tear of, he
took the skirts, i'll each ha,l, and tore it up
the back, but finally gave ii u, He pushed eff
his ovcrshocs, and attempted to get oil his boots.
lie got one partly Off but they were too much
soaked, and his feet too much wollcn, TO enable
him to rid himself of them.
lie continued to go down the stream without any
| effort, except keeping himself above water until
he saw tree which had fallen from the bank into
the water. He put forth all his strength to reach
it, aud barely able to reach Il branch. |,
was covered with ice; his hand slipped, he caught
another branch, but his hands having lost all their
pow er, he could hold on but moment. At this
instant he saw some bushes at Il short distance,
which he Immediately swan to, and there, for the
first time put his feet upon the bottom of the
stream. The water was up to his waist, and look
ing about, Inc discovered that the bank was about
the height OF five feet perpendicular, and that his
only toot-hold and place Of safety where he
was then standing in the water. He could see no
lght-nothing but an untouched and solitary will
dcrncss about him. ffc thought it useless TO cry for
help III that dead hour Of night, he upwards of
Il mile from the place where he went into the
stream chilled through and exhausted He did
cndeavor, however, to cry for help; he could at
first hardly raise the sound OF his voice. but was
at length able to cry out He cried for help and lis
tcncd and cried and listened until he was entirely
exhausted; no sound was heard to answer him. lie
had lost all feeling in his limbs; i'll no pan
his cycsight began TO fail, and he could longer
hear the voice of the waters. lie knew, (sccmng-
lyO that he was dying, but had presence of mind
enough to lean over upon the bushes, that his
body should not be swept away. The last ray of
reason finally left him. and he had passed the last
conscious struggle Of life with death. The last re-
collection was mdistinCt vision of light and ia
ccs, and when he again opened his eyes, he was
lying upon bed, and the plying, compassionate
face of woman was before him.
Nearly quarter of mile from where his cry
Tor help was raised, this woman had heard and
had been awakened by it. She awokc her hus-
bond; 1T was then half past o'clock in the morn
ing, and he getting together other ncighbors they
started i'll search of HIM. He had ceased to cry
and the men having got canoe, crossed the creek
and being unable on account Of the current 10 go
up 1t, left their and searching the bank
found him leaning over the bushes scnSclcSS.-|
They were barely able Ia reach over the bank and
get hold OF the collar of his coat, 10 raise him
up They took him TO cabin, and in about az
hour by friction, &c. brought hun to life. He
staid with the woman | mentioned, and her hus-
band, five days, and he tells me he could not have
been treated more kindly by his dearest relatives.
lie says he shall ever after this love log cabin;
and the compassionate and anxious look of Mrs
Patch, when he first opened his eyes, will never
be forgotten. lie had, when here ycsterdy, entire
ly recovered, except that the cx!remitics of his
fingers, and some of the muscles of his feet were
still numb, and retained peculiar prcky scnsa-
ton. lie lost about two thirds of his baggage ma
ny of his papers, but none of his money He start.
ed this morning for Cincinnati, and intends TO re-
main there two or three weeks, until he can hca
from his friends at the east.