Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-01-29
g Gbrillmig CALI,
THE RESCUE.

the scene piece of forest land on Northern
Neck of Virginia, contiguous to noble
stream of water. Implements of surveying
were lying about, and several men, idly
reclining under the trees, betokened by their
dress and appearance that they composed a
party engaged in laying out the wild lands of
the then frontier of the Old Dominion. These
persons had apparently just flushed their
noon. tide meal, for the relies of the banquet
were scattered around.
Apart from the group walked a young man,
evidently superior to his young companions,
though there was nothing obstrusive in his
air, which, on the contrary, was distinguish
ed by aflability. A certain dignity of aspect
however. accompanied him. Added 70 this,
he was of tall and compact frame, and NOV
ed with the elastic tread of one accustomed
to constant exercise in the open air His
countenance could not have been said to be
handsome, but it wore look Of decision and
maniiness, not usually found in one so young,
for apparently he was little over eighteen
years ofage. His hat had been cast off, as
if for comfort, and he had paused, with one
foot advanced, in natural and graceful at
titude, at the moment that We have introdu-
ced him to ourrcader.
Suddenly there was a shrek, then another,
and then several in rapid succession. At the
first scream the youth turned his head in the
direction whence the sound proceeded, but
when it was repeated, he pushed aside the
underground which, separated him from it.
and quickeuing mis- footsteps as the cries sue
ceeded each other with alarming rapidity,
he soon dashed into an open space or "c!ear-
lug" as.the borderers even then called it,
on the banks of the stream, in the centre of
which rude cabin stood, well-pole poised
whose over one end, and smoke curling from
the chimney, gave signs Of habitation. AS
the young man, with a face flushed with
haste, broke from the underground, he saw
his companions crowded together on the
banks of the river, while in their midst u
woman, from whom proceeded the shrieks,
was visible, held back by two of the most
athletic of the men, but still struggling yio-
lentiy fol, freedom.
1t was the work Of an instant to make his
way through the crowd and comfort the wo-
man. The moment her eyes fell on him she
exclaimed
ooh, sir, you will do something for me-
Make them release me, for the love of God /!
my boy-my poor boy is drowning, and they
will not let me 60"
at would be madness-she will jump in
to the river, said one of those @ho held her,
as the frantic mother strove from his grasp.
"The rapids would dash her to pieces in =
minute
The youth had scarcely waited for these
words; his eye took in, at single glance,
the meaning of the sad group. He recol-
lectcd the child of the woman, bold little
fellow of four years old, whose handsome
blue eyes and faxen ringlets made him a
favortc with strangers, and filed the moth
er's hear! with pride whenever she gazed on
him. He had been accustomed to play at
will in the little enclosure before the cabin
but this morning the gate having been ac-
cideutally lett open, he had stolen out when
his mother back was turned, reached the
edge Of the bank, and was in the act of look
Ing over, when his parents eye caught sight
Of him. The shrek she uttered precipitated
The catastrophe she feared, for the child,
frightened at the cry, lost his balance and
fell headlong into the stream, which here
went foaming and roaring along amid innu'
merable rocks, constituting the most danger
Gus rapid known in that section of the coun.
try. Scream now followed scream in rapid
succession as the agonized parent rushed to
the bank. She arrived there simultaneously
with the party whom he left reclining in the
shade, and who were scattered about within
a few steps of the accident. Fortunately
was it that they were so near, else the moth.
er would have plunged in after her child
and both been lost Several of the men i'm.
medatcly approached the brink, and were
on the point of springing in after the child
when the sight of the sharp rocks crowding
the channel, the rush and whirl of the waters
and the want of any knowledge where tt
look for the boy, deferred them, and they
gave mp the enterprise.