The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-08-03
Tho Students Adventure.

i Some ten years ago spent tho long vaca
ton on the northwest coast OF Antrim
somewhat disappointed with early failure,
and with myself, affected the solitary.
tried hard at twenty to get up tho then i'm
possible character of foolish, old, misan'
thropical Timon. l soon, however, discoy'
cred the unplcasantness and impracticability
of this. The wild precipices and mountains
| Of that grand coast exercised my demon, and
the limitless, full Atlantic beating rcstlcssly
on its iron bounds, reused mo to action.
Presently dropped into the doings and crafts
of the rough fishermen and cragsmen OF the
neighborhood, and soon gained their hearts
by some unusual feats, acquired the high
character of being so gey yentersome lad
no unworthy fame.
NV rather confident address and courage,
such Us they were, underwent u peculiar
trial when and "a least expected. | was
living in the vicinity of the celebrated swing.
ing bridge, Carrick a.redc. The troops OF
tourists visiting It reminded INC Of the world
from which l was, after oil, | fear, an un-
willing exile. Tho danger Of crossing the
bridge with ny dog and gun afforded some
excitement. The glorious views OF shore, sea
and islcts delighted me- Tho deep mossy
heather on the headands made luxurious
couch for reading or dosing upon under the
summer sun. ,
One day from my iavorite eyrie / had
watched q gay party descending the slope to
the bridge, mixing and changing color rs
they went, like the view of kaleidoscope.
could distinguish laughter and sweet voices
pleasantly ringing out, and confess it need
ed the soiacc Of my favorite book and oil my
fortitude to render me contented In my soil.
tude up among tho sea-gulls. =.
had resumed my lost place and stretched
myself very comfortably on tho moss OF my
tall, outstanding, pillar like cliff, when sud-
denly my old dog 'rasso rushed close to me,
and fixed his big, dark eyes anxiously in the
direction of the bridge. We both tremblcd
at that moment. for piercing scream slnote
us. The sea birds dartci out from the rock
face, and after short flight outward, cried
mt their shrillest and loudest. Could l be
deceived! II was surely human! Another
scream, IL possible more intensely painful. Ii
was woman's voice!
"Can II be-" l thought, "somo Of them
over the cliff"
Grasping my gun, rushed down the hill,
us men only run to save life. Again and
again, rs ! flew over the broken ground, l
felt the same bitter cry striking, as it SEEM
ed into my very heart. A few bounds over
the slippcry sea grass along the edge Of tho
prccipice, and stood mt the head of the lad
der which leads down to tho swinging
bridge.
Heavens, what a sight!
Right in the midst Of II was young, fair
haired girl. With her two small, white
hands she desperately clutched the slender
cord which the fishermen use as balance or
a guide; the pressure of her whole weight
drove Il out from tho floating strip of boards
ION which she stood. Sometimes with her
hands stretched us she swayed, face down.
wards, over the abyss, with its white raging
waves a hundred feet below; sometimes the
wind and the double oscillation laid her
backward, with her hand clenched upon
that wretched, worthless cord, and her pale,
sharp face straining upward, and her long
hair streamcd out, pointing down to the sea.
The bridge itself was shaking and swaying.
giving forth that clank and moan peculiar to
| Il in storms, writhing about like somo SER
pent struggling with the poor girls Efforts.
On tho platform of rock beneath the ladder
stood the rest of the party, each in differ
ent attitude of silent, Mortified expectancy,
incapable OF the slightest attempt ut rescue.
At glance this never-to-be-forgotten scene
was all understood. Another scream, anoth-
er look of wild, appealing despair from the
poor girl, and | was out upon the narrow
plank. Under the double motion and weight
the ropes shook and werc depressed, 50 that
could scarcely walk; tho ratlins on which
tho foot boards lic strnined to the utmost in
sharp angles, clearly marked against tho
rushing white and green underneath.
There was no time to think or pause.
With rapid strides came on. l could hear
her pnying now. But saw also she was
fast losing her consciousi css her courage
and strength had given away under the reac.
tion of hope; she was about to faint. 1
measured the terrible vacancy into which she
was about to fall hcadlong. was prepared
to abide the Desperate plunge the bridge
would give tho moment sbe dropped.
In the last extremity Of fear and hope,
shouted In voice that stirred my own heart,
too:
"Counge, brave girl; coumgc, one mo-
mcnt more"
Inst then was within six feet OF hr,
standing on six inches wide Of deal plank
that bent like whalebone, my only hold the
loose. swinging cord from rock to rock across
tLe wIf. Below black, walled chasm OF
rugged rocks, with dizzy whiri OF roaring
foam betwecu. Judge, then. my asnsy ahu
astonishment, when saw this girl, s spoke
leave hold Of the hand.ropc, and walk Inas-
sisted toward me along that narrow shaking
path, hung out in the air. lcould not cred''
nv senscsoit was too daring-it was impos,,
si6le for any human being. Before ! could
recover. or decide how to act, she had flung
herself upon me, her arms about my neck,
her whole weight resting upon me like lead
7 could scarcely retain my balance, and !
could not attempt to relieve myself. felt
sbe was about to faint; / felt, for from her
position, could not SEQ I; know no human
nowcr could save Us II she did. Moved, then,
ior nv own life, Us well as hers, whispered
in that stern, strange, inward tone which
arises in the extreme Of anxiety and peril
"If you faint or give way. we arc both
lost ~
The effect was wonderful. Bravely the
poor fnil creature fought with her weakness,
beating back the faintnes there on the m,h
quaking plank, with the Gcrcc cddies Iasn-
ing far below, and their hoarse voices hiiing
the wide dir about Us; only my arm roal'd
her waist, TO stay her against tho sway'ns
ropes beneath.
nNov. are you ready to try itf"
"I am ready" nid the bravo girl.
Gently and gradually l looacd her hold OF
INV nccf and arms put the hand-rope IN
70 her gasp, with directions 70 let IL aiP
through her hand. merely Icsting on II a.
she vslkod, and with her left band claspcd