The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-03
4 STUDENTS ADVENTURE AT CAR
RICK-A-REDE, COUNiY ANTRIM.


Some ten years ago, spent a long vacation
on the northwest of Antrim; somewhat disap
pointed with early failures and with myself,
affected the solitary. tried hard at twenty to
set up the then impossible character OF foolish,
misanthropical Timon. l soOn found, however,
the unpleasantness and impractibili!y OF this.
The wild precipices and mountains OF the grand
coast exercised my demon, and the limitless full
Atlantic, beating restlessly on its iron bounds,
reused ME to action. Presently dropped into
the doiugs and crafts Of the rough fishermen
and cragsmen of the neighborhOod. and soon
gained their hearts by some unusual feats, l &C.
quired the high character Of being gay, VEN
turesome lad'-nO unworthy fame.
My rather confident address and courage, such
as they were, underwent a peculiar trial, where
and when l least expected. l was living in the
vicinity Of the celebrated swing bridge, Carlick-
a-Rede. The troops of tourists visiting it, re-
minded me Of the world, from which l was. after
all, an unwilling exile. Tie danger Of crossing
the bridge with my dog and gun, afforded some
excitement. The glorious views OF the shore,
sea and isles, delighted me; the deep, mossy
heather on the headlands made luxurious couch
for doing upon, under the summer sun.
One day from nv favorite eyrie, had watched
a gay party descending the slope to the bridge,
like the view in a kaleidoscope. l could distin-
guish laughter and sweet voices pleasantly ring.
ing out, and confess needed the sOlace Of my
fav0rite book and all my fortitude to render me
contented in my solitude up among the sea-
gulls.
resumed my lost place aud stretched myself
very comfortably on the moss of my tall, out.
standing pillar like cliff, when suddenly my dog
Tasso rushed close to me, and fixed his dark
eyes anxiously in the direction of the bridge.
We both trenbled at that moment, for pier
eing scream smote US. The sea-birds darted out
from the rock face, and after short fight out.
wards, cried at their shrllest and loudest. Could
l be deceived 1t was surely human. 1t was a
woman's voice!
"Can il be-" thought, "some Of them over
the cliff"
Grasping nay gun, / rushed down the hill as
only men can run to save life. Again and again,
as few over the broken ground, felt the same
bitter cry, striking. it seemed, into my very
heart. A few bounds over the slippery sea-grass
along the edge of the precipice, and stood al
the head of the ladder, which led down to the
swinging bridge.
Heavens! what eight!
Right in the midst of it was u young, fair
haired girl. With her two small white hand:
che desperately clutched the slender cord which
| the fishermen used az a balance or guide; the
pressure Of her whole weight drove it out from
the floating strips Of boards on which she stood
Sometimes with her hands stretched cut, she
swayed, face downwards, over the sbyss, with
its white raging waves hundred feet below
sometimes the wind and the double oscillation
laid her backwards, with her hands clenchet
upon that worthless cord, and her pale. sharE
face straining upwards, As her long hair stream
ed, pointing down to the sea. The bridge itsel
was shaking and swaying giving forth tina, clanl
and moan peculiar to it in storms. wreathin{
about like some serpent struggling With the poo
girls efforts. On the platform OF rock beneath
the ladder, stood the rest of the party, each il
an attitude Of silent, horrifed expectancy, inca
pat lie Of the slightest attempt at rescue.
At a glance this never-to- be forgotten seen,
was al understood. Another scream, anothe
look Of Wild, appealing despair from the poo
girl, and Vas out upon the narrow plank. Cn
der the double motion the ropes shook and wer
depressed, SO that could scarcely walk.
There is no time TO think or pause. Wit
rapid strides l went on. l could hear her pray
in6 now. But saw also that she was fast lc
sing her consciousness; her courage and strengt
we're fast giving way under the reaction Of hope
she was about to fasnt measured the terribl
vacancy into which she was about to fall head
long. I was prepared to abide the desperat
plunge the bridge would give the moment .h
dropped.