The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-09-05

he returned> for them and brouxhtt
them to the place where he hoped to
get over. It was fearful point. for:
in order to reach .. space Dsrrow
enough to have 3 chance of throwing
a plank over, it was necessary to 20
down the broken side of the precipice
some twenty feet, and there, high
above the seething lava, to cross on
such piece of wood as could be got
to spanthe abyss, and then Chamber
up the rugged opposite side. Paulett
had been down to the point he
selected and had got timber, which
o wrecked vessel had supplied, to the
edge, 50 that Ellen and Charles might
push plank down to him, and he
might try, at least, to cast it to the
opposite bank. His head was steady,
his hand strong No one OF them
spoke word while he stood below,
steadying himself to receive the
plank. Ellen's weak arm grew
powerful, her wit was ready. with
expedients to aid him in this neces-
sity; her frame and spirit were strung
to the very uttermost, and she was
brave and silent, doing all that could
be done. No word was spoken till
Paulott said: 81 have done it." and
Ellen and Charles had seen him place
the plank and secure it on his own
side of the abyss with stones. Then
they held their breath, bcholding
him cross it; but his firm foot carried
him safely, and he heaped stones on
the other side also. He came over
again, sprang up the side, and now
| smiled and spoke.
"Aftcr all, it is but a mountain
torrent Ellen" he said, ''and the
water would have destroyed us like
yonder seething food; yet, we have
crossed many one and feared
nothing Now, Charles, shall 20
over; then Alice, and he shall take
care other; and then my Ellen. The
ground beyond is better; we shall get
on well after this.
Ellen took the girl in her arms, and
stood, not trembling, not weeping,
seeing and feeling every motion; all
vas safe that time, again. Charles
was on the opposite bank, and his
father waved his hand to Ellen. He
came back for Alice, whom her mo-
ther tied on his shoulders, for hands
as wellas feet were wanted to scram-
hle down and up the banks. And
now Ellen followed to the brink, and
forgot, in watching her husband and
child pass over, that the black tor
rent was seething beneath her eyes.
When they were quite safe, she felt
again that it was there, and that her
eyes were growing dizzy, and her
hands involuntarily grasping about
for support. She did not take time
to feel more, but sprang upon the
plank, and over it, and found Pau
lett's hand seizing hers, and drawing
her up the opposite bank.
And once there, with all three
round her, she burst into tears-tears
which had not overcome her through
many mlseries-and embracing them
alternately, blessed them, that they
were all SO far safe. Paulett suffered
this emotion to spend itself before he
said that he must cross the plank
again. 70 be more at liberty to
assist them, he had left the diamonds
on the other side till they should be
over. Ellen offered no remonstrance.
The times had SO schooled them all
that selfish or unreasonable thoughts
either did not come at all. or were
suppressed at once; and she did not
oppose, even with word, this neces-
sary step. But the renewal of fear
after the excited energy had subsidized
did her more harm than all that had
gone before; and she stood on the
brink exhausted, yet palpitating again
while Pau lett made the passage. He
himself ,.is wearied; but he had
reaches! he plan and was upon it
on his wa back in safety, when one
of those ebulitions which stirred the
dark fluid began running down the
cleft rock, and with stunning noise
sent up dark and clouding vapor.
Paulett seemed suffocating-he could
not beheard-hc could just be seen
he reeled! Has he fallen? Oh. he
has fallen! No, no. he has got his
footing again; he forces himself up
tho bank; he is safc-but the dia-
monds are in the bottom Of the pit.
TO DE CONTINUED.