Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-02-07


at once to be the boys dress, and while his con-
panions aghast at his emerity, were prevented as
much by CONSERVATION as by the awe with which
he had already inspired them, from interfering, he
plunged headlong into the wild ard roaring rapids.
Thank God he will save my child gasped Tie
woman, 'see-there he is--oh my boy, my darling
boy, how could | leave you ?
Every one had rushed to the brink of the preci-
pce, and was now following with eager eyes, the
perous progress Of the youth, as the current bore
him onward, like a feather in the embrace of q
hurricane. Now 1t seemed as if he would be dash.
ed against "A iutling rock, over which the water
flew IN foam; and now whirlpool would drag him
IN, from whose grasp escape would appear impos
sible Al times the current bore him under and he
would be lost to sight: then, Just as the spectators
gave him up, he would re appear, though far enough
from where he vanished, sill bulIetnq amid the
vortex. OIL how that mothers straining ewes fol-
lowed him in his perilous career how her heart
NIX when he went under--and with what a push
OF JOY she saw him emerge again from the waters,
and ilngng the waves aside with his athletic arms
struggle on, III pursuit Of her boy. But it seemed
as II his generous efforts to be of 10 avail
Tor though the current was bearing off tie boy he
fore his eyes scarcely ten feet distant he could
not, despite his gigantic efforts overtake the drown
ing child
On tbcy few. the youth and The child; and it was
miraculous how each escaped being dashed TO pio
ces agairstshe rocks. Twice tho boy went out of
sight, aud suppressed Shrek escaped the mothers
lIps but twice he rcappcarod, and then, with hands
wrung wildly together and breathless anxiety she
followed his progress, as his unresisng form was
hurried onward with the current.
The youth now appeared to redoube his exer-
tons Tor they were approaching the most danger
Gus part Of the river where the rapids contracting
between the narrowed shores, shot almost perpen-
dicuInrly down decIivity Of fifteen feet. The
rush OF the waters at this spot tremendous and
no one ventured TO approach its vicinity, even in
canoe, lest they should be sucked in. What then
would be the youths fate, unless he speedily over
took the child! He seemed fully sensible of the
increasing peril, and urged his way now through
the foamlllg current with desperate strength.
Three several times he was on the point of orasp-
ing the child, when the waters whirled the prize
from him. l he third effort was made lust as thew
were about entering within the influence of the
current above the fall and when it failed the moth
ers heart sank within her, and she groaned aloud
fully expecting to see the youth give up the task
But no! he only pressed forward the IN )re eagerly
and as they breatlcSsly watched, they saw. amid
the boiling waters, as if bearing charmed life the
torn of the brave YOUTH following close after that
OF the boy. And now like an arrow from the bow
pursuer and pursued shot to the brink of the precl
pce. An instant they hung there, distinctly visible
amid the CLASSY waters, that seemed to pause on
the edge of the descent Every brain grew dizzy
at tue sight. But shout Of involuntary eXuta-
ton burst from the spectators when they saw the
boy he'd aloit by the right arm of the youth-a
shout, alas that was suddenly checked by horror
when the rescuer and rescued vanished into the
abyss
A moment-rather many moments ELAPSED. be.
fore word was spoken a breath drawn Each
OF the group felt that to look into the mothers face
was impossible. She herself had started eagerly
forward and now stood on the bank, n few PAGES
nearerihe cataract, where she could command
view OF It's loot, gazing tilither with fixed eyes, as
II her all depended on what the next moment
should reveal. Suddenly she gave glad cry.
'lh ere they are she exclaimed, see, they are
saie-Great God, | thank thecn and for moment
wildly turning her face to Heaven, she hurried
with trembling steps along the side Of the river in
the direction of the fall.
Every eye followed hers and sure enough there
was the YOUTH still unframed and still 6ufletlng
the waters. lie had just emerged from the boiling
vortex below the cataract With one hand he held
aloit the child, and with the other he was making
for the shore.
They ram they shouted, they scarcely knew
what they did until they reached his side inst as he
had struggled to the bank. They drew him ont
almost exhausted. The boy was senseless-but
his mother declared he still lived as she pressed
hun iranlcally to her bosom. His prcserver, pow
eluly built and athletic as he was could scarcely
stand, so faint was he tfon his exertions.
Who shall describe the scenes that followed
the mothers calmness while she strove 10 resusci.
tate her boy, and her wild gratitude TO his preserv.
er when the child was out of danger, and sweetly
sleeping in her arms? Our pen shlnks at the task.
But her words pronounced THEY'VE may hope in
the spirit of prophecy were remembered aiterward
By more than one who heard them.
God will reward you,' she said, as CANNOT
He will do great things for you in return for this
days work-and the blessings of thousands, be-
sides mine, will attend YOU
And it was SO. For 10 the hero of that hour
were subsequently confded the destinies of nigh
ty nation. But throughout his long career, what
tended perhaps most 10 make him honored and re-
spected beyond all men, was the self sacrificing
spirit which in the of that mothers child as
in the more august events of his life, characterized
OUR WAsHINGToN.
From Leech's Thirty Years from Home
A SEA FIGHT.