Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-03-04

said he, in an earnest manner, as he took
my hand, i want you to promise me
not to 90 on the ice to-day feel almost
sure that something dreadful will happen
if YOU do i shall not go aIone,' re-
piled: and he interpreting nay manner to
say shall not go acitboutsyoa, turned
and ran down the street
He had scarcely disappeared before
skating party formed, of which | was one,
to make the old sliding place q farewell
visit.
The ice seemed comparatively solid,
vet the river was running freely below
us the water looking colored and swollen.
Still we went, one after another, down
tho bank, and soon stood together in the
centre of the stream; but our united
weight. proved too great for-the founda--
ton on W bich We stood. Loud and re-
iterated reports soon echoed from shore
to shore as the ice cracked yawninglv in
all directions; and now began to break
away from the opposite shore, and swept
past with force that was perfectly ire
sistabe.
On and on swept the heavy pieces,
jostling madly against, and crushing each
other, and we now become aware the
river had entirely broken up, and the
ice was floating en masse upon us.
Some shrieked with fear, as they gag
ed appalled, at the already breaking shore
ice next the school-room; and all run to-
ward the rivers edge. But our haste
only increased the danger of premature
ly cutting off our retreat, for the loud
volleys that rang across the waters told
that, every moment the chance for life
was lessening At length, all but two of
our number stood upon the bank, with
the swelling waters rolling between them
and US; for cherished play mate, Mar
tina Lee, and myself were the unfortu
nate two.
For few moments, we remained al
most stationary, but soon. tho heavy
bodies of ice from above US, jostIing with
impetous force on which we stood, broke
in twain, aud carried by far the larger
part away. Again it was severed, and
this time we found ourselves left upon
platform OF, perhaps, four times the size
of an ordinary dining table, and drifting
down the stream, and but very slightly
toward the shore.
Moments seemed hours, as we thus
stood upon the very verge of eternity
The large boys upon the bank seemed
paraIyzel with fear, and made no attempt
to rescue US, but breathlessIy watched
as we fioated away. We could sec the
girls sobbing in terror, and we briefly
said to each other, we must die! Oh,
| can never, never, describe my feelings
as | stood upon that small CONCEALED
piece of water, with the certain prospect
of death before me.
Scenes long forgotten passed me in
sad review; the loved faces of my dear,
kind parents, whom | might never more
behold, my darling brothers, Rnd-shall
I confess it?-Ephraim, too, looked viz
idly upon me, and wept silently, but
freely, at the thought hat I, so young,
must die! Then came the thought Of
how those tender parents would mourn
my loss, even though brought about by
my own waywardness; and my throb-
bing heart almost ceased its pulsations,
as / anxiously watched the progress of a
large piece Of ice that bore directly to-
wards our own little table, and would
undoubtedly send US from our frail sup
port into the turbid waters.
Just at this moment, I espied Ephraim
coming rapidly up the street; be neared
the bank, bent over and spoke to those
below. | could not hear the words, but
saw him throw off his coat and boots in
a rapid manner, and grasping long ed
cling, struck bravely out into the stream.
Go back, Ephraimp shouted, 'you will
surely drownr He gave no heed to nv
words, but struggled or swan, until he
thought himself sufficiently near to reach
us with the edging. Eta he called,
catch the stick if you can reach it--hold
it tight, and will draw you to the shore.
| did not reply, but, knelt on the ice, and
leaning over the edge, fortunately caught
hold of the stick, and, grasping it with
both hands, held it firm. Epraim turn
ed toward the shore, pulling us steadily
along-and now we soon received some
assistance from the other boys, and they
succeeded in drawing us to the shore.
where we received the warm congratu
lations Of our schoolmates, who hasten
ed US to the house. where q bright fire
was blazing glowing welcome.
As soon rs the excitement began to
shbaide, and the school again fell into its
daily routine of duties, bad leisure to
look at Epraim. He was pale alarm.
ingly so--and leaned back YEARLY on
his desk. | went to him, and laid my
hand softly on his shoulder. He looked
up into my face; his blue ewes were swim
ing in tears Thank God, Eta, that
YOU are saved 7 Tears rolled down my
cheeks, and without words turned and
left him.
That afternoon he came to my desk,
and with as much eloquence rs | could
command, thanked him as the preser-
yer of my life.
But, Ephraim,' l said in conclusion,
why did you risk your life for me 3