Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1845-02-15

HndSt at MS teHerlty, WeTe Vrt'cnteu, as I'uCn
by CONSERVATION ns by the I'VE with which he
had already inspired them from interfering, he
plunged headlong into the wild and roaring ra-
pics.
'rhauk God, he will save my child gnsped
the woman, 'see-therehe is-oh my boy, my
darling boy, how could leave you,'
Every one had rushed to the brink of the pre-
cipice, and was now following with eager
eyes, the perilous progress OF the youth, as the
current bore him onward, like feather in the
embrace ofa hurricane. Now it seemed as if
he would be dashed against jutting rock over
which the water flew in foam and now a
whirlpool would drag him in, from whose grasp
escape would appear impossible. AT 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, still butletng amInd the
vortex. Oh how that mothers s,raning eyes
followed him in his perous carcer-how her
heart sank when he went undcr-and with
what g,ish of Joy she saw him emerge again
from the waters, and fl'Egiag the waves aside
with his athletic arms struggle on, in pursuit
Of her boy. But it seemed as il his generous
efforts were to be of no avail, for though the
current was bearing off the boy before his eyes,
scarcely ten feet distant, he could not, despite
his gigantic efforts overtake the drowning child.
On they few the youth and the child and
it was miraculous how each ESCAPED being dash
ed to pieces against the rocks Twice the boy
went out of sight, and a suppressed shrek es-
capped the mothers lips; bot twice he reappear-
cd, and then, with hands wrung wildly together
and brcathless anxiety, she followed his pro.
gress, as his unressting form was hurried on
ward with the current.
The youth now appeared to redouble his cx-
dangerous part OF the river, when the rapids,
contracting between the narrowed shores, shot
almost perpendcularly down a declivity of tt.
teen feet. The rush of the waters at this spot
proach its vicinity, even in canoe, lest they
should be sucked in. What then would be the
youths fate unless he speedily overlook the
child. He seemed fully sensible Of the in
the foaming current with desperate strength
Three several times he was on the point Of
grasping the child, when the waters whirled
the prize from him. The third effort was made
Just as they were about entering within the in
huence of the current ABOVE the fall, and when
it failed, the mothers heart sank within her ant
she groaned aloud, fully expecting to see the
youth give up the task. But no! he only press
ell forward the more eagerly, and as they
breathlessly watched. they saw, amid the boil
ing waters, as if bearing charmed life, th'
form Of the brave YOUTH following close ahc
that ofthe boy. And now. like an arrow from
the bow, pursuer and pursued shot to the brinl
Of the Precipice. An instan, they hung there
distinctly visible amid the CLASSY waters, tha
seemed to pause on the edge Of the descent
Every brain grew dizzy at the sight. But :
shout OF involuntary exutntion burst from tho
spectators when they saw the boy held aloit by
the right arm of the yon,h-a shout alas tha
was suddenly checked by horror when the res
curer and rescued vanished into the abyss
A moment-ra;her many moments elapsed
before a word was spoken or a 6rc .th drawn
Each of the group felt that 20 ,rok into the mo
thers face was Impossible. She herself ha
started eagerly forw'rd aud now stood on tn
bank, few PAGES nearer the cataract wher
she could command view Of lts h,ot, gazin
thl,her with Gxed eyes, as if her all dePrnde
on whnt me next moment should reveal. Sud
} denly she gave glad c.y'
'rhere they are she eSciaimed, see, the
are safe Great God thank thee and tor
: moment wildly turning her face TO heaven, sh
hurried with trembling steps along the side {
} the river in the direction OF the fail.
; Every eye followed hers, aud cure enoug
there was the youth, still uuharmed, aud std
. butieling the waters lie had Just emerge
f from the boiling vortex below the cataract
/ With one hand he held aloit the child and wit
? The ether he was making for the shore.
I. They ran, they shouted, they scarcely kne,
+. whs, they did until they reached his side, jus
o as he had struggled t. the bank. They drc'
e him out almost exhausted. The boy was sense
less, but his mother declared he still lived a
5 she pressed him franticaly To her BOSOM II
i preservcr, powerfully built and athletic as h
e was, could scarcely stand, SO faint was he fro'
r his exertions.
;, Who shal, describe the scenes that followe