Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1868-01-11

" WIZ e'ouoiou "dtcIS, saw tuo Cullu,
its spreading garments buoying it up
aud could hear the tiny voice calling
"Mamma, mamma %
There was not a moment to lose-the
child was going nearer and nearer to
the falls-nearer and nearer to its death.
1t was fearful risk for me, for the
chances were that I should be taken
over into the kissing, boiling surge, be-
low the falls. But what was risk to
me then? If I died in the water 1
should not stand in the way of Major
Farwell's bullet. I had better a thou
sand times give up my life thus, than
throw it away in the duel. The woman
saw me and appealed to me for help !;
my coat was off before she discovered
me, and in moment 1 was in the wa
ter, striking out with all my power.
The child was half way from the
bridge to the falls when l started, but
| swan rapidly, and caught it just at
the point where the water began to
gather for the plunge. 1t was girl,
not more than three or four years old,
with bright, golden ringlets, blue eyes,
and face like cherub. She clasped
her little arms about my neck, and
called me "papa."
30, papa-good papa-don't let Kit
ty go into that wicked place down be-
low.
With all my might held up the
child, and struck for the shore; but it
was not to be. I had been drawn into
the swift current, and no mortal could
have withstood it. The prospect of the
morrow took from me all fears for the
present, and was more calm and COL
lected than l might otherwise have
been. AS soon as I realized that l must
go over the falls, turned every thot'
to saving the child, for, even those few
short moments the darling had won
strangely and deeply upon my love.
Nearer and nearer, swifter and swift
er, the roar of the mad waters growing
louder, until at length the edge was
reached. Close to my bosom I bore
the child, shielding her as we'll as l
could, and in moment my eyes were
closed beneath the boiling flood. Down
down, down, around like top, then
over bed of smooth rocks; and final
| ly, when I opened my eyes, I saw the
shore, not far off, and quickly discover
ed that l could stand on my feet, with
my head above water.
reached the shore just as three or
four soldiers came down the mule path,
aud they helped me to bed of moss,
and took the child from my arms.
Was the child safe ?
They told me yes. I looked up and
saw the cherub smile, and then my
brain whirled as it had in the flood,
and sank into the strong arms of my
men, quite dizzy and faint. When |
came to myself l was upon my own bed
and Walker and my orderly were by
my side.
started up and looked around and
was not long in remembering what had
happened. My first inquiry was for the
child l had saved
'The nurse took it away" replied
my orderly, "and it was alive and per-
fectly WELL"
"Whose child was it p
But neither knew. A woman had it
in charge: stranger, and anxiety on
my account had prevented them asking
her any questions.
1t was now eight o'clock, and l had
been in my quarters an hour, I arose,
feeling quite sore, and my left arm was
$50 lame I could not use it. l took
la little warm wine, and ate a light sup
per and by ten o'clock l felt quite
strong.
In the morning felt sore and stiff,
and was forced to hang my arm in
sling. Walker, when he came, sug.
gested that the duel be put off, but l
would listen to no such proposition.
A few glasses of wine made me feel
better, and 1 believed my right hand
would be steady enough.
At half past six we took our pistols
and started for the place, which was in
secluded spot near the river, about a
half mile below the falls. I was some
what fatigued when l reached the place
and was forced to call on my second for
his whisky flask. In a little while the
Major appeared, with the Adjutant, aud
l suggested to Walker that I would
like to have the affair over as quickly
as possible, as | grew weak and shaky
though l did not tell him SO. He open
ed the pistol case and was taking out
the weapons, when Mr.. Bowker ap-
preached us.
"Gentlemen," he said, "Major Far
well wishes to speak before we proceed
any further"
II am ready to listen," I replied,
''only let him be as brief as possible. /"
Presently the Major came toward US.
"Captain," he said. with percepti
BILE tremulousness in his tone, have
challenged you and the arrangements
are all made, I will stand where l am
and you may fire at me-"
"You mean we will exchange shots,
said l.
"No," be returned, shaking his head,
81 cannot fire at you"
"But sir, what means this J" [ cried
in amazement.
do you not know ? he asked SEEM
lingly equally amazed.
/ assured him that | did not.
you saved human life last night.
eyes, 1 saved cherub."
"Do you know whose cherub it was 2