The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1858-11-12

sweeping current would bear their
frail vessel to the edge OF the dam,
and still to retain an advantage,
was, for Wilson, impossible. To
let his own boat 60 and manage
theirs, he saw to be equally impossi.
BILE.
A cry of despair reached the
young mans ears as the oars drop.
ped from his grasp, into the water.
II was evident to the spectators Of
the fearful scene that he had lost his
presence of mind, and that now all
was over. Not 80, however. In the
next moment he had sprung into the
water, which, near the breast Of the
dam, was no. three feet deep. AS
he did so he graspcd the other boat,
and bracing himself firmly against
the rushing current, held it poised q
few yards from the point where tue
foam crested waters leaped into the
whirlpool below. At the same in
stant his own boat shot like an arrow
over the dam. He had gained,
however, but small advantage. 1t
required his utmost strength to keep
the boat he had grasped from drag
ging him down the fall.
The quickly formed purpose Of
Wilson, in thus springing into the
water, had been to drag the boat
against the current to the shore
But this he perceived to be impossi-
BILE the moment he folt the real
strength of the current. If he we're
to let the boat go he could easily
save himself. But, not once did
such thought enter his own heart.
Lie down close to the bottom, he
said, in a quick, hoarse voice. The
terror-stricken girls obeyel the in.
junction instantly.
And now, with a coolness that
was wonderful under all such circun.
stances, Wilson moved the boat sev.
eral yards away from the nearest
shore, until he reached point where
he knew the water below the dam
to be expanded and free from rocks.
Then throwing his body suddenly
against the boat, and running along
until he was within few feet Of the
fall, he sprang into it and passed
over with it. A IN oment or two the
light vessel, as it shot out into the
air, stood poised, and then went
plugging down.
The fearful leap was made in SAT.
ty. The boat struck the seething
waters below, and glanced out from
the whirlpool, bearing its living
freight uninjured.
(which was the coward?' The
words reached the ears Of Logan, az
he gathered, with the rest Of lie
company, around Wilson and the
pale, trembling girls he had so he
roically saved. Fair lips asked the
question. One maiden had spoken
to another, and in louder voice than
she had intended.
Not Edward Wilson, said Logan
as he stepped forward and grasped
the hand OF him he had go Vronged
and insulted. 'Not Edward Wilson
He is the noblest and the bravest!'
4 Wilson made an effort to reply
But he was for come moment toe
much excited and exhausted to speak
At last, he said:-
Il only did what was right. May
| ever have courage for that while
! | live
Afterwards he remarked, wher
alone with Logan: 1T required q
far greater exercise OF courage t,
torbear when you provoked and in
suited me in the presence Of thos
who expected retaliation, than il di,
to risk my life at the mill dam
There is a moral heroism that few
can appreciate. And it will usual
ly be found that the morally brav
man is quickest to lose the sense o
personal danger when others arc il
peril.-[ True Flag,