Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-04-01
1a l8fellanfons.
AFLoAT uPoN TIE ICE.
! rALE OF THE SAINT LAWRENCE.

1t was one day last February, when the
noble St Lawrence was covered with ice as
bright as crystal and as smooth as a mirror.
that in company with Lsttis Mordaunt, /
went out skating The ice was over foot
in thickness, but strong wind had few
days previous opened a channel in the cen
tFe of the river, IN which much loose ice
was floating Lettie had never before had
a pond to skate upon that would compare
with il, and, as she was an accomplished
skater, she vas delighted | have always
maintained that pretty girl never appears
10 better advantage than when she is en-
gagged 10 skating; and had always thought
Le;tie was very pretty girl and had be
came quite captivated by her charms but
she never appeared half SO lovely to me as
upon this occasion; and as we went boldly
forward, or cireled 10 the most graceful mau-
ner, you may depend that | enjoyed myself
highly, and think she did also
The river i about two miles in width
where we were skating, and in the distance
were to be seen the several Islands that lie
a short distance above the GalIop Rapids,
and are famed for their power, which is so
great that no vessel can approach within a
considerable distance Of the lower part OF
them. There Is a single channel through
which steamers are sometimes piloted ar
favorable seasons Of the year; but to attempt
to pass them out of the channel, or without
skillfull pilotage, would be the maddeat Of
folly
There we're a considerable number Of
skaters out with US; but we struck out bold
ly for the centre Of the river and soon were
at a considerable distance from them. We
did not stop until within a few rods of the
open water, knowing as we did that the ice
was sufficiently strong to bear Us. We had
skated three or four miles, and felt the
necessity Of resting few moments, and ac.
cordingly stood for a while, gazing upon the
blue waters Of the flowing river and the
surrounding scenery, which Is very fine.
rather think that cast an occasional glance
at the features Of my fair companion, which
we're radiant with the gloB of excitement
occasioned by the exercise Of skating, We
stood there rather longer than we intended
to, for We carried on an animated converse
ton aud the moments passed swiftly. AT
length Let'ie suddenly remarked
Look where We are.
Il see, said l. not omprehendiug her
meaning. Had you forgotten it?'i
We are farther down the river than wc
were when we stopped. We were then op-
posite TO that windmill, pointing to the
ruins Of one that stood upon the opposite
band, relic of the last century, about hall
a mile above Us
Somewhat surprised at this, l looked
around Us, and was not long in discovering
the cause Of the change. We we're ahoat
The ice upon which we were standing had
become separated from the main body and
carried away By the action Of the current
As ii was a large piece, being at least ont
eighth Of a mile in extent, | felt no very
great apprehension 10 regard to our safety
thinking it would soon foat against "tht
edge Of the firm ice, so that we could easily
/ get of it, and so have the occurrence 10 re
member only as a pleasant adventure.
assured Lettie that there was no danger
and We patiently waited for the current Il
release Us from captivity upon onr floating
1 island, continuing our conversation as cheer
/ fully as before Ny expectations were no
/ fulfilled, for in about half an hour we haC
reached the open river where the rapidity
/ Of the current had either carried away tn,
4 ice or prevented its formation, and now tn,
/ fearful truth flashed upon my mind We ar,
going directly towards the Gallop Rapids
and at rate that would bring Us to then
/ in less than az hour
Letiie must have noticed the expression
/ Of my countenance, for she clung to me ant
said
/ DO not fear to alarm me BY telling M
| the worst Are We in very great danger !?
i am afraid we are, / replied; bu
keep up your courage and we viii hope fo
the best"
/ Eagerly / scanned the surrounding land
/ hoping to observe some one whose atten
ton I might attract skatel around th
edges Of the ice and halloed as Loudly a
possible, but the wind made il impossibl
FOR me to be heard at any great distance
and We were unnoticed. Il now blew quit
violently, and caused the water to run owe
the ice. ? adering it quite difficult fer us t
! stand Up, nd breaking up the ice that v