The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1859-11-03

fully extinguished the fire in the Chin
ney. On tiptoe she approached the
couch of Grace, pressed a trembling kiss
on her rosy lips, drew the covering more
closely about the little form, and com
mending the innocent sleeper to the care
of heaven. she cautiously opened the
door and passed out.
The air was thick and dark, and the
wind swept down from the mountains
with demoniac fury. She needed no.
thing, but hurried down the steep path
as swiftly as her burdened state would
allow. The basket of pine knots was
heavy, and her arm ached beneath the
load, but she pressed bravely on. From
one slippery rock to another she made
her way, until at last she stood upon the
bank of the river.
o, how black and terrible was the
tossing waste of waters The foam cap
ped waves leaped madly against the rocky
shore, and the roaring of the voices was
like the muttering of distant thunder
There were brave hearts around the hills
of Portland-but few would have VEN
tured 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
depositing her lantern and basket upon
the barque, she stepped on herself, seized
the long handled oar. and pushed off.
Oh, but it was fearful conflict be-
tween the dreadful water and the stern
courage which lent strength to the arms
Of that heroic girl Once her heart
grew faint with womanly fear, but a
thought of what she went to accomplish
neryed her on, and she cast all fear away.
Now she was borne along with light
ning-like velocity-and the raft glided
smoothly and gently-again, in the en-
brace of treacherous whirlpool it was
nearly engulfed-but at last, oh. Joy it
struck violently point of land. With a
few vigorous strokes of the oar Rachel
sent the raft up dry upon the beach, and
seizing her basket and lantern she rush
ed on in the direction of the ruined
bridge.
1t was as she expected. The whole
vast structure had been torn away, and
the water dashed through the fearful
gorge with appalling rapidity. She shud-
dered as she gazed 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 gleam of the great lamp
upon its front. But no, it was only her
imagination and piling the faggots up
on the track she applied the light from
her lantern. 1t did not ignite. She was
frantic with terror lest the dampness had
rendered the wood incombustible to the
heat which she was able 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 the knots, and the whole
country was illuminated in the radiance
"Thank God," burst involuntarily
from Rachel's lips.
She brought brushwood from the for
est and piled upon the fire /; and as the
red tongues Of fame rose higher and
higher, so the stream Of thankfulness In
the girls bosom flowed freer and strong.
er up to that power whose instrument she
was.
Patiently she stood in the cold and wet
the rain beating heavily on her uncover.
ed head and shoulders, and dripping
down the wayy masses of her soft browl
hair.
Meanwhile she piled upon the fire ev
erything combustible upon which sh,
could lay handwriting and hoping
until at last she heard afar off the shril
whistle of the approaching train.
On it came. the black winged monster
rumbling and snorting up the rugged
valley, with its vast freight Of human
life behind I! The speed was frightful
and for moment Rachel feared that hel
signal would not be noticed the mex
instant the sharp shrill whistle of alarm
rang out loud and clear--the kissing
steam rushed forth hot and fiery, the en-
gine was reversed, and with shock lik,
that Of an earthquake. the train was
brought to dead halt on the very brink
of the gorge.
From those long, dark cars hundred.