Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-08-18
From Grahum's Magazine, for July, lSiS.
"A NIGHT ON THE ICE.
A CAPITAL STORY.
Burlington, Vt
BY SOLITAIRE.

Running one pole through the ring of our lam
tern, and placing ourselves at each end, we took
to our line of march for the light ahead. Victor
seizing the end of the other sapng and slid it
before him to feel our way At times the beacon
would blaze up as if an hundred yards ahead,
and again il would sink to spark, far away in
the distance The night wind was now sweep
ing down the lake in a tornado, signing and la
boring in its course as if pregnant with evil
alar off, at one moment, heard in a low whistle,
and anon rushing around us like an army of in
visible spirits, bearing us along with the whirl
OF their advance, and yelnga fearful war.cry
in our ears. The beacon.light still beckoned
us on My companion, as if rejoicing in the
fury Of the tempest which roared around us,
burst into dersive laugh
Thunder would be fit music, now said he,
for this pleasant little party'-and the words
were scarcely uttered, ere a sound of distant
thunder appeared to shake the frozen surface of
the lake. Tn pole he was sliding before him,
and of which he held but careless grip, fell
from his hands. lie stopped to pick it up. but
il was gone; and holding up our lantern to look
for il, we beied a wide opening in the ice, where
the dark tide was ruiiled into mimic waves by
the breeze. Our sapIing was floating upon its
surface.
This way said Victor, bent in his spirit of
folly 10 fulfill his purpose, and striking the yawn-
ing pool, where the cold tide rolled many faith
ons deep, we held on our way. We thus pro-
crossed nearly two miles, and yet the ignuS "a
fans which tempted us upon the mad journey
shone as distant as ever. Our own feeble light
Out served To show, indstncly, the dangers
with which we were surrounded. was young,
and loved life; nay, was even about to plead
in favor of turning towards the shore that
might preserve it, when my companion, his eye
burning with excitement, turned towards me,
and raising his end of the sapng until the light
oil the lantern fell upon my face, remarked,
| fou are pale-l am sorry frightened you
thus, we will return
fears, even though death hung on my footsteps
| answered with scornful laugh,
Your own fears, and not mine, counsel you
to such proceeding
Say you so, says he, then we will hold on
until we cross the lake and with the shout he
pressed forward; bending my head TO the blast
| followed.
Il had often heard of the suddenness with
which Lake st. Clair cast off its winter cover
ing, when visited by southern breeze; anc
whether the heat of my excitement, or an actua
moderation of cold in the wind sweeping ovel
Us was the fact. am unable to determine, bn
hncled its puff upon my check had grown sof
and bslmy in its character; a few drops OF rain
accompanied it, borne along as forerunners of a
storm. While we thus journeyed a sound like
The revcrbation OF distant thunder again smote
upon our ears and shook the ice beneath oul
feet We suddenly halted.
There is no installing that said Victor
Inc ice is break king up-we will pursue this
folly no farther
lie had scarcely ceased speaking, when re,
port IKE that OF cannon was heard in oul
immediate neighborhood, and wide crevice
opened at our very feet, through which the az
tated waters underneath bubbled up. We lean
ed it, and rushed forward.
Haste cried my companion, there is suf
cent time for US yet to reach the shore before