The Van Buren press., 1859-08-31


From one slippery rock to another she made
her way, until at last she stood upon the
bank of the river.
/ Oh, how black and terrible was that toss
ing waste of water! The foam-capped
waves leaped up madly against the rocky
shore, and the roaring of their voices was
like the muttering of distant thunder
There were brave hearts around the hills OF
Pentland-but few would have ventured the
passage of Mad River that night.
Uttering one wild prayer for strength,
Rachel unbound the ropes which held the
frail raft used for crossing the stream to the
giant oak upon the bank and then depos-
iting her lantern and basket upon the barque.
she stepped on herself, seized the long han
died oar and pushed off!
Oh, but it was a fearful conflict between
the dreadful waters and the stern courage
which lent strength to the arms of that he
roic girl Once her heart grew faint with
womanly fear, but thought of what she
went to accomplish, nerved her on, and she
cast all fear away.
like velocity-then the raft glided smooth
ly and gently-again, in the embrace of a
trcacherous whirlpool it was nearly engulp
ed-but at last, oh, Joy lit struck violently
point of land! With few vigorous
dry upon the beach, and seizing her basket
the ruined bridge.
1t was as she expected. The whole vast
structure had been torn away, and the wa
ter dashed through the fearful gorge with
appalling rapidity. She shuddered as she
gazed for a moment down into the boiling
black depth-what if she were too late
She fancied that even then she heard the
whistle of the coming locomotive, and
caught the CLEAN of the great lamp upon its
front. But no, it was only her imagina-
tion and piling the faggots upon the track,
she applied the light from her lantern. 1t
did not ignite She was frantic with ter
ror lest the dampness had rendered the wood
incombustible, to the heat which she was a.
BILE to give. She tore off her cotton shawl
and cast it on the pile. A faint stream of
light shot up, then broad lurid glow, and
almost instantaneously the fire laid hold on
the turpentine of knots, and the whole
country was illumined in the radiance.
Thank God ~ burst involuntarily from
Rachel's lips.
She brought brush wood from the forest
and piled upon the fire +; and as the red
tongues of fame rose higher and higher, SO
the stream of thankfulness in the girls bo-
som flowed freer and stronger up to that
Power whose instrument she was.
| Patiently she stood in the cold and wet
the rain beating heavily on her uncovered
head and shoulders, and dripping down the
wavy masses of her soft, brown hair.
1 10 no al, I'D he
thing combustible upon which she could lay
she heard afar off the shrill whistle Of the
approaching train.
On it came, that black-winged monster,
rumbling and snorting up the rugged val
ley, with its vast freight of human life be-
hind The speed was frightful, and for a
moment Rachel feared that her signal would
not be noticed; the next instant the sharp
whistle of alarm rang out loud and clear
the kissing steam rushed forth hot and fiery,
the engine was reversed, and with shock
like that of an earthquake, the train was
brought to dead halt on the very brink of
the gorge
From these long, dark cars hundreds of
human beings came pouring out, alarmed
by the sudden stoppage, and perhaps wa
kened from sound sleep by the violence of
the shock
| Oh, but there was deep horror on their
faces. and strange trembling at their hearts,
when, gazing down on that black abyss, they
saw the grave which had been theirs but for
the efforts of that pale-faced girl.
Oh, how they crowded around her with
their warm admiration-how enthusiast
cally they thanked and praised her for what
she had done what fervent blessing they
called down upon her head Women S
beautiful faces streamed with tears at the
thought of her brave daring and swarthy
mems heart beat quicker and stronger as,
in fancy, they saw her tossing out on frail
raft at the mercy of that furious river to
save them from destruction.
The old weather beaten engineer, who was
| scarcely ever seen to exhibit emotion at
anything, crowded his way to Rachel's side,
and taking her hands in both of his, he
lookedripto her face with q tear in either
"God bless you ~ he uttered, impetuous-
ly, and then rushing away he was lost in
the crowd.
The passengers were to return to Hart
stein; and very earnestly they besought Ra-
ming, when the swollen waters would have
abated, and the passage of the river might
be made with safety.
"No," said she, ''that cannot be. I have
little sister at home, and now that have
done alr could, my duty lies with her
God helping me shall cross the stream
once more ~
AT this juncture a fine looking young
man, wearing the undress uniform of a
lieutenant in the navy, stepped forward,
removing his cap said
Lady, with all due respect, I declare
that if you cross Mad River tonight, shall
go with you have been on the water oc-
easionally, and think can be of some as
sistance in your voyage. Will you trust
me 90
Rachel gazed up moment into the noble
face Of the young lieutenant, and Offering
him her hand, said, simply
81 can trust you"
And so amid the cheers and acclamations
of the people whom she had saved from
death. Rachel Wharton and her companion