Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-09-01
4 TERRlBLE ADVENTURE.
On Thursday morning last, seeing

4 TERRIBLE ADVENTURE.
On Thursday morning last, seeing
number of parsons hurrying toward the
/ Chaudiere Falls. we inquired the cause,
and were Informed that crib of timber.
with two men upon If, had passed over the
Big Kettle and that one of them had
| been drowned. while the other was struck
on the table rock, upon this side of the
river, Immediately opposite the suspen-
son bridge. Having repaired 10 the scene
Of the accident, we found this melancholy
tale verified. It appears that being unac.
customed to navigate the channel leading
into the slide, which is perfectly simple
and easy of access. hey had neglected to
keep close enough ashore, until too late.
they found themselves drawn with gradu-
ally increasing raplity towards the fear
full abyss, through which no man living
has ever been known to pass, although
many have found In its deep waters a
grave. Upon entering the rapid immedi-
ately approaching the fall, one of the men
(whose name we have since learned to
have been Baplis'e Beaudran, that of the
other Paul FlI;rdeau, Jumped off the crib
toward the shore, since when no yestage
of him has YET been seen.
But amid the anxious crowd gathered
upon the beach, which could not have
numbered less than four hundred persons,
sympathy for the unfortunate dead seem
ed almost wholly merged in the most in
tense and absorbing nt crest for the saliva
too of the living. Standing upon the
small rocky island, upon which the mi
raculou5 intervention of a merciful Provi
dence had placed him, with .hell of
waters" roaring around him on all sides,
his vas a critical and fearful situation.-
In comparative safety, save from the con-
slant exposure to the spray, some pro-
posed that he should remain until the wa
tcrs would fiji sufficiently to permit his
passing; while others, who understood
the danger better, suggested that means
should be adopted at once to convey him
t. the main land.
In pursuance of this determination, a
stone, having a string att lched to it, was
after several unsuccessful attempts thrown
across the water. A rope was fastened
to the string, which was passed over IA
nigh post, and drawn across by Fllardeau.
and made fast to the rock ; a large IRON
ring having been put upon the hawser,
smaller rope was tied to it, a few feet at
one end was allowed TO hang down for
the purpose of securing around his body.
This was also passed over by string as
before.
The arrangement being completed, the
signal was given for him to prepare for
his precarious voyage. This he did with
great deal of GOODNESS, arranging the
rope around his body with admirable skill
During the time thus occupied, the ex
element became GREATNESS. 1t rose to
the highest possible pitch when apparent
iy misunderstanding signals made to him
to await some further arrangements upon
the shore, he poised himself upon a por-
ton OF the crib, which had formed a
Jam upon the rock, and launched Oft
boldly, with nought but thin air between
him and eternity. The moment was
thrilling one. A portion of his body Dip
ped nto the foamlng waters below-we
turned to look upon the effect produced
upon the multitude around. All seemed
to hold their very breath, vile with palIid
cheeks and eyes intentIy fixed, they
gazed upon the scene. \ moment passed,
which, to many there, doubtless seemed
an age. the rocks resounded with one
loud, deep shout, in which even the roar
of the torrent itself was lost. Drawn
swiftly along the hawser by the ring, in
less time than we have taken to narrate
it, the shore is reached in safety, and
congratulations were poured upon the
hero of this adventure, for his most mi
raculous escape from sharing the untime
~ fate of his unfortunate companion.-
Long will his extraordinary passage be
remembered from this island, which may
henceforth be appropriately designated,
"Filardeau's Rock. "-By'oWH Gazette.
Bytown is on the Grand Ottawa River
far in the interior of Canada. The sit
uation of Mr.. FIlardeau was one of great
peril; quite as much so as if he had been
driven on oQe OF the small Islands direct
ly above the falls Of Nlagara.-Com. Al
rOcate.