Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-09-08
A PerfEous Situation.

n correspondent vi the NauOHdl UaZclle,
gives the following account of an escape from
one of the small Islands near the Falls of Mia
CARA. 1t will be seen that the brave Peter
Robinson, well known in the vicinity of the
Falls for his deeds of daring, rescued the un-
happy man. The Gazette saws, a friend So
journing at Niagara Falls, gives the following
account of the escape of man from one of
the small Islands just above the great Falls
The story has been briefly told in the newspa-
Pers. accompanied with the suggestion that the
man had purposely got upon the Island But
our correspondent, as may be seen, details the
circumstances, showing that there was no Joke
in the poor fellows predicament.-iS E. Post
DEAR -:
"Ycu will remember that two years since
gave you an account of most heroic feat per-
formed by Peter Robinson, by which he saved
the life of an unfortunate man, who falling in
TO the rapids from the bridge, and was luckily
thrown on an island very near the cateract, and
was rescued from his periIous situation, by the
unaded efforts of this daring man. Peter has
again been giving proof of his daunless cour-
age, and of his eminent humanity, as the an
nexed narrative will Prove.
On Friday evening hst. about 10 o'clock, a
man crossing the river IN a boat from Chippe-
wa, owing to the darkness of the night got into
the rapids before he was aware how far down
the current had forced him On perceiring his
perilous situation, he Immediately turned the
head of his boat against the ecurrent, and in his
violent exertons TO reach Goat Island, was so
unfortunate as 10 break oneof his oars-you
can imagine the horror of hs situation, with
but one oar to attempt TO sternthat mi ghty cur
rent, contest soon found useess, for he was
rapidly hurried towards the awful precipce
His efforts 10 run his boat on either of the small
islands which lie between Goat Island and the
Canada shore were without avail, and he. to
use his own words, " said his pryers before
the Fall, he, as desperate resource, leaped
from his boat, and was fortunate entugh to Sc
cure footing, and with some difficulty safe
landing on the shore. The boat foutd refuge
at the bottom of the cataract
On this island his situation was scarcely
more to be envied, for he found himself on
spot which had never before been trodden bv
mortal foot, surrounded by roaring waters and
within not many yards of the mighty falls. As
soon as he was perceived, Robinson was, of
course, called for, and readily responded; but
his boat was dry and leaky, and had 10 Be
caulked and repaired. This was the work Of
time, and there the poor fellow remained all
the next day, and the following night, entirely
without sustenance
On the succeeding day Robinson landed on
an island near that on which the victim wss--
most hazardous performance and found that
1t would be impossible 10 attempt 10 save him
by rowing boat 10 him, without the almost
certain prospect of destruction. He then
thought of adopting other means, and returning
to shore obtained rope and piece of lead, with
which he went back TO his former position. By
means of cord attached 10 the lead, which he
threw TO the man, the latter was enabled to
draw to the Island a rope; this he firmly fixed
TO tree; Robinson procured another rope, and
fastened both 10 the boat she was drawn to the
sufferer, and then with her overioved freight,
was pulled by the hero 10 his Island Thus
by the skill and courage of this man access
was had to an Island which had hitherto been
uUapproachable, and a fellow being was res
cued from an awful death. The achievement
was followed by the cheers of the spectators
have attempted TO give you slight descrip-
ton of this wonderful feat 1t must necessar-
ly be weak; works cannot describe the risks
that were run, nor the skill with which they
were Surmounted Yours, &c.