Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-06-12


abyss, with its white raging waves hun
bred feet below; sometimes the wind
and the double oscillation laid hen
backwards, with her hands clenched up
on that worthless cord, and her pale,
sharp face sttaining upwards, as her long
hair streamed, pointing down to the sea.
The bridge itself was shaking and sway
ing giving forth that clank and moan pc
culiar to it in storms, wreathing 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 in an attitude of silent,
Mortified expectancy, incapable of the
slightest attempt at rescue.
At glance this never-to be-forgotten
scene was all understood. Another
ssream, another look of wild. appealing
despair from the poor girl, and l was
out upon the narrow plank. Under
the double motion the ropes shook and
were depressed, SO that l could scarcely
walk.
There was no time to think or pause.
With rapid strides l came on. l could
hear her praying now. But saw also
that she was fast losing her CONSCIOUSNESS;
her courage and strength had given way
under the reaction of hope; she was
about to faint. [ measured the terrible
vacancy into which she was about to fall
headlong. was prepared to abide the
desperate plunge the bridge would gi,e
the moment that she dropped.
In the last extren ity of fear and hope,
=, / shouted in voice that stirred my own
heart too:
"Courage, brave girl: courage for one
moment more"
Just then was within six feet of her,
standing on six inches wide of deal
plank that bent Ike whalebone, my only
hold the loose cord swinging from rock
to rock across the gulf, below black
walled chasm of rugged rocks, with q
dizzy whr of roaring foam between
them. Judge, then. my dismay and as
constituent, when | saw this girl, as |
spoke, leave hold of the hand rope, and
walk unassisted towards me along that
narrow, shaking path hung out in air.
| could not credit my senses, it was I'M
heard Of; it was too daring; it was i'm
possible for any human being. Before
| could recover or decide how to act, she
flung herself upon me, her arms about
my neck, and her whole weight resting
upon me like lead scarcely retained
my balance, and could not attempt to
relieve myself | felt she was about to
faint; Il felt, for from bis position l could
not see; knew no human power could
save us if she did. Moved, then, by nv
own life as we'll As hers, whispered in
that stern, strange, inward tone which
arises in the extreme of anxiety or per-
il:
"If you faint Or give way we are both
lostw
The effect was wonderful. Bravely
the poor, young, fral creature fought
with her weakness, beating back the
faiptness there on thin, quaking plank,
E with the fierce cddies rushing far below,
and their hoarse voices filing the wide
air below us; only my arm about her
waist to stay her against the swayng
ropes beneath.
snow, are YOU ready to try it?'
al am ready" said the brave girl.
Gently, and gradually loosed her
hold fmy neck and arms; put the
; hand rope into her grasp, with drec-
tons to let it sip through her hand,
merely resting on it rs she walked, and
with her lett hand clasped in my left.
which was stretched ont behind for her
to hold, inch by inch and foot, without a
sigh or fiutter, she reached the platform,
where her friends stood liked statues,
waiting us in the breathess awe.
| had only time to lift her from the
bridge when she gave way in earnest, land
for long time she lay pale and rigid
as drown corpse, on the black rocks.
Whenever symptoms began to appear,
her friends were profuse in their acknowl-
edgements; one old gentleman-the pat
or families, 1 supposed-eyeing my
rough, shooting coat and worn leggings,
began something about, "any remunera-
ton could fairly ask" fumbling at the
same time in his pocket. l fear con-
signed him rather abruptly to the tender
care of certain uncomfortable person
age and in great dudgeon with what l
conceived, called old Tasso from adj
miring and noosing about the young girl
l had assisted, and stumping up the lad
der with him in my arms, Che could new
er climb up though he always got down
splendidly, poor fellow reached the
top. A sweet, faint voice followed me
"Oh, sir. l wish to thank you"
This sounded soothingly and real: but
stay, nv hot, bashful young blood could
not. | dimly remember taking off my
hat and replying with my bushes:
"Not at all-don't mention it | beg
and | moved away.
suppose you think the above named
young lady is now Mrs.. 1t should
have been so, perhaps, but it never was
or is likely. to be, unless she turns up and
, rewards me after this long delay. / new.
er heard her name or anything of hel
beyond this adventure on the swing
bridge; and rs 1 am far out of the
worlds notice, it is improbable we viii
never know more ofeach other.
But let no one disbelieve on this &C.
count the simple truth of our strange
, | meeting on Carrick-a Rede. 10 which