Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-12-17


swiftly down the river A loud shout went up
from Billiards. throat, which was echoed BY al
most every person in the group.
81 I've heerd of sich things being DONE said
the Kentuckian, turning to me " but I'm euss-
ed if | ever believed them. 1t beats the devil
how he did that, and such puny looking
chap, too. I'll bet the drinks for the crowd,
that there amt a chap here that dares to try
that trick. He's hull team, sure, and no
mistake :
Every eye was NOW surneo Upon " illiams,
who stood upon the rock, gazing up the stream
| for the object to save which, he had periled
his life. Mr.. Ashton stood near, his face pale,
and his form trembling, but no words escaping
from his lips. The incidents of the day were
known to all, and there was but little sympa-
thy for him among those who stood around
At this moment there was another shrek, near
er and more distinct than the rest, seeming al
most at our very feet. Then we saw Williams
form lean eagerly forward, and heard his voice
above the tumut,
Ready now, Ballard, with your ropes, and
don't, for Heavens sake, miss your aim -
Ready"
"Aye," shouted Ballard in reply, "you
may depend upon me.'
The next instant he had plunged into the
stream. and by the aid Of occasional flashes Of
lightning, we saw him near a piece of timber
to which Miss Ashton was clinging. She was
soon within his reach, and grasping her with
one arm, he struck out for the shore.
"a little lower with your lanterns = there,
that's it; now don't move them till tell you
Ballard took the rope in his grasp m ore firm
y, and waited till Williams should again be
clearly revealed to his sight.
:" Good God " he cried suddenly, d" he's
sinking if I'm not mistaken. Look Williams,
for the rope! Here it comes ~
He raised the mass in his hands, and threw
: it, one end being fastened to tree by his side
1t flew through the air, uncoiing as it went,
and at last struck u few feet below Williams,
yet he soon reached it, and seized it firmly in
his hand. A dozen eager hands were around
the rope in an instant and drew him to the
shore. Never did witness such joy ms those
men evinced. Shouts, loud and long, rent the
air, ia which the namo of Williams was freely
mingled. Hardly had Baftard reached his side
when his arm relaxed its hold upon Miss Ash
ton, and he sank senssless upon the ground.
"My child, my child " exclaimed Mr.. Ash.
ton. rushing forward Thank Heaven you
you are finally restored to me-" and claspine
her in his arms, he wept like child
was astonished to witness this outburst o
. feeling on his part, for did not deem him ca
pable of it, and he rose several degrees in m,
~ estimation at once.
Ashton, as she released herself at last from he
10 fathers embrace.
~ :" He has tainted, believe" replied Mr.
Ashton.
y Then let us 60 to him.
3 She neared Williams. whom Ballard had take
- in his arms, and was carrying to the hotel, an
- as his pald face met her gaze, she exclaimed
~ L" Father, father he is dead And yet h
perilled his life to save mine after the blow 70
gave him."
" " Gentlemen " said Ashton visbly moved
" I" tell me if you think he is dead +"
-. mo-" replied Ballard sulenly, :" an
" what's more, he amt beuad to die on accour
:, of this operation, though it's no thanks to yo
81 ." that he didn't" :"
=, "Take him to the Inn. then, and spare n
". expense or pains to make him comfortable.
"' will see the landlord satisfied
~ Feels cussed mean! calculated Ballar
'A' as they moved along /" IF he don't come o,
>, aud dew the thing that's handsome when Viii
|. Jams opens his eyes, I'm blamed if don t cha
!, him up in less'n no time
BY the use of the usual means of restor
ton, consciousness soon returned to vii
iams' exhausted frame. As soon as he cou
the 20 ""I
ill flied exclamation escaped him as we replied tn
a. she had sustained but triaing injuries.
III, " That ar was whopper, swimming Il,
res- river. Beats whipping wild cats or chawiug
eri. man up with a bowie, clean to pieces How
.ce In thunder dye do it, Williams !"
. g. | know not, save that was confident
MIN Should reach the rock when started from t
| shore. 1t was this feeling that urged me on
in the very lace almost of death itself. In ca
moment, when my mind was free from conter
i'll ing thoughts to save my own life, could n
en-. have accomplished the feat "
and "No more couldn't myself, sir. Thou
I've been in mighty tough spots before no
lard nary one on 'em would come up to that ERE
We now left Williams to inygorate his W
re- ried system by sound and refreshing slumb
My own room joined the Kentuekan's, q
ANS sleep scarcely visited my eyelids, for it do
iss- occasionally, it was only to be aroused by B
1il's lard's sonorous breathing.
the 1t was nearly noon the next day when W
was Jams joiaad US in the bar-room. He too
he seat by the side of Ballard, and soon after
ach Ashton entered. A frown instantly gathe
l.-- upon the good-natured face of the Kentucki
ind and from the nervous twitching Of his lips
til the rapidity with which he elected the toba
the juice into the fire, co I'D see that he was
lied ting his sighting blood up as he termed
ain "Mr Williams" said Ashton in on emb
t of rassed tone, i" have come to offer you an Al
,ted ogy for what occurred in this room yesterd
rd's confess myself in the wrong and believe
his sincerely regret the occurrence. You,
lade acted the part of a gentleman, while did
his exhibit even gentlemanly demeanor in
htly conversation. was so unjust as to strike