The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-07-25
A TERRIBLE ADVENTURE

~ AARhADLl1 AL L1N "
On Thursday morning last, seeing a number of
persons hurrying toward the Chaudere Falls, we
inquired the cause, and were informed that a crib
OF timber, with two men upon it, had passed ov-
er the 'Big Kettle,'' and that one OF them had
been drowned, while the other was stuck on the
table rock, upon this side of the river, immed-
ately opposite the suspension bridge. Having
repaired to the scene of the accident, we found
this melancholy tale verified. 1t appears that
being unaccusomed to navigate the channel
leading into the slide, which is perfectly simple
and easy of access, they had neglected to keep
close enough to the shore, until, too late, they
found themselves drawn with gradually iEcreas-
ing rapidity toward the fearful abyss, through
which no living has ever been known to
pass, although many have found in its deep wa
tiers grave. Upon entering the rapid mme-
diately approaching the fall, one of the men
(whose name we have since learned to have
been Baptise Beaudrau, that of the other Paul
F1lardeau, jumped off the crib toward the shore,
since when, no vestige of him has as yet been
seen.
But amid the anxious crowd gathered upon the
beach, which could not have numbered less than
400 persons, sympathy for the unfortunate fate Of
the dead. seemed almost wholly merged in the
most intense and absorbing interest for the saliva
ton OF the living. Standing upon the small
rocky island, upon which the miraculous inter-
with shell of waters' roaring around him on
all sides, his was critical and fearful situation.
In comparative safety, save from the constant ex-
posture to the heavy spray, some proposed that he
should remain until the water would fall sulfi-
GENTLY to permit his passing over; while others,
who understood the danger better, suggested that
means should be adopted at once to convey him
to the main land.
In pursuance of this determination, stone,
having string attached to It, was after several
unsuccessful attempts, thrown across the water
A rope was then fastened to the string which
was passed over high post, and drawn lcI oss by
Filardeau, and made fast TO the rock large iron
ring having been put upon the hawser, a small
er rope was tied to it, a few feet at one end being
allowed to hang down for the purpose OF securing
round his body. This was also passed over by
string as before.
The arrangements being completed, the signal
was given MN to prepare for his precarious voy-
age. Ihls he did with great deal of GOODNESS,
arranging the rope round his body with admira-
bic Skill. During the time thus occupied the
excitement became breathless. 1t rose to the
nignest possible pitch, when, apparently misun.
derstandlng signals made to him, to await some
iarther arrangements upon the shore, he poised
himself upon portion OF the crib, which had
formed "jamb' upon the rock. and launched off
boldly, with naught but the thin air between
MIN and eternity. The moment was thrilling
one "A portion OF his body dipped into the foam
ing waters below-we turned to look upon the
erect produced upon the multitude around All
seemed TO hold their very breath, with pallid
cheeks, and eyes intently fixed, they gazed upon
the scene moment passed. which, to many
tnere' doubtless seemed an age, and the rocks
resounded with one loud deep shout, in which
even the roaring OF the torrent itself is lost
IRA swiftly along the hawser by the ring, in
less tlme than we have taken to narrate it, the
snore Is reached In safety, and congratulations
ms most miraculous escape from sharing the uD-
um 1 late OF his unfortunate companion. Long
VIII VIII ms extraordinary passage be remembered
from TINS island, which may henceforward be an.
proPrately designated "Fllardeau's kock.''
Byto,Un Gag.
Bytown is on the Grand Ottawa river. far in
t Inc interior of Canada. The situation of Mr..
rllardeau was one OF great peril quite as much
SO as II ne had been driven on one of the small
islands directly above the Falls of Niagara.
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