Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-17
nlisfellanp.
Written expressly for the Green Mountain Freeman.
The Test of Courage.
TRUE STORY.
(coNCLUDED.)
BY THE AUTHOR OF " WALDO"

(coNCLUDED.) ~
I" If Ashton has not reached the bridge above
here, ere this, am afraid he cannot get on to-
night, for one of the string pieces just went
past the DEVILS THRONE" said the host as he
stepped out upon the portico.
At this moment fash Of lightning lit up
) the whole SURROUNDING heavsrs Ssfa Esht sSt
<shtense as to make everything visible for miles
around, accompanied by a clap of thunder so
heavy as to fairly shake the house.
This 'ere's an awful night" said Ballard,
and we may calculate on staying here for"
" Heavens, gentlemen did you hear that
exclaimed Williams, turning to the others who
were standing near.
Can't say as heard anything only this s-'
g There it is again.! 2"
Yes, and by George. it's a woman, too {"
cried Ballard
"' Get out your lanterns, andlord, and bring
rope with you as you come, for if I'm not
mistaken, there's woman in the stream above
here, and if possible, we must save her," said
Williams, as Ballard ceased, and with hurried
steps we started for the stream. High above
the roar Of the water was heard that awful
shrek, sounding like cry of despair in our
ears.
The landlord soon joined us, and but few
moments passed ere there were a score of peo-
pie upon the river banks, each possessed Of a
lantern, some of long poles, while others had
procured ropes. We ascended slight eminence
and Immediately opposite was large rock in
the middle of the stream, which the host had
termed the DEVILS Throne and as stood
and gazed upon it, the light casting feeble
glare upon its rough summit, and the water
roaring like some mighty demon around its
base, 1 thought it not inappropriately named.
A fearful legend which my space will not
permit me to Fgive here, had been the cause of
it thus being named
Its coming near" said the host "and if
you are going out in boat, you had better be
about it, for the water rushes by like a race
horse"
"A bright idee to 90 out in sich bilin mass
that 'ere rivers in, replied Ballard contemp-
tueusly. BLESS your soul, man ! boat
would 60 to pieces in less time than 'twould
take to launch it,
As Ballard ceased speaking, man covered
with mud rushed up to the group who we at
once recognized as Mr.. Ashton.
sis there boat here." he shouted in an
excited tone "My child is in the river above
here, and / must save her."
!" There amt no boat, old man, and if there
was, 'twouldn't do no good to launch it in sicf
torrent as that yonder," replied Ballard.
"But, gentleman F" he cried wildly, " sh'
must be saved. She is my only child I can
not lose her. Tell me how can save her."
"Mr. Ashton" said Williams approachin,
him, ''you have to-day applied to me the stig
ma of coward and liar. That the latter i
false, my friends here will testify. Before God
lam no coward, as you shall soon see. You
child shall be saved, or will die in the at
tempt"
Ere Mr.. Ashton had time to reply, he turne
away, and going to Ballard, he divested him
self of his coat and vest, and said:
SNOW, Mr.. Ballard, am going to save tina
girl if it is within human power to do so.-
There is only one way that we can accomplis
it, and that is by swimming to the Devil
Throne and plunging in after her as sh
comes down, for the current is strongly in ths
direction. Fasten your lanterns to poles, an
extend them over the water as far as you cor
so that can see her, and be ready to throw m
arope when have her in my grasp. think
No, no, Williams; that aia't going to b
did, nohow. It's sure death for any man
undertake to swim that river, much mere de
icate fellow like you. If she comes down "
can throw her q rope
but don't you realize, Ballard, that Il
terror which has fastened upon her mind W
efectualy preclude the possibility of her SCI
ing it, even if it should fall within her reacl
No words can deter me from the attempt to r,
cue her. Mr.. Ashton shall learn that the C
terion by which he judges of mans coural
is a false one.''
you can't do it, said Ballard seizing h
by tho shoulder, " for shall detain you.
amt going to see you throw your life away
this shape"
+" Remember my directions" shouted Wi
iams, and ere Ballard was aware OF his int
tions, he had shook himself from his grasp a
plunged into the boiling waves.
e He's lost, sare's yer alive " said Balls
turning to me.
" Throw out your lanterns and see,"
piled.
Hardly had finished speaking when Villa
ing waves, and struck out for the I" Dew
Throne" His form was but iniistinct in
partial gloom, still we could see that it v
only by almost superhuman exer,ions that
breasted the current which we expected ca
moment to see sweep him down the stream
Once he faltered, as a large wave struck, u
completely submerged him, aud though
saw his form yield to the current, while
Kentuckiau handed me the rope he had coil
up. and threw off his coat. But no-aga
he struck out, and was within few feet
his destination when mass of timbers noa
between him aud the rock. | knew by Ballar
looks that he had given up oil hopes of
reaching it, and grasping the rope, he m,
ready to throw it, when Williams placed
hands upon the timber, and springing ligh