The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-12-29
A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.

TEE recent terrible freshets in the
James, the Shenandoah, and other Virginia
rivers, recall to my memory an exciting IN
cident which | witnessed at Richmond
more than twenty years ago
Ii occurred at 1.-THE falls opposite
which the city stands-a point al which
the river rushing over = bed Of rocks
more or less elevated above the surface,
forms a variety of rapid streams, in which
il was at that time the habit of boys TO
swim. When the river is low, these
streams are comparatively safe To the
batheT, If he is good swimmer; but,
when the current is swollen hy rains, they
become very violent and danger0us-so
dangerous. indeed, that the best swimmers
make haste to get 10 shore.
At the time mentioned | was bathing in
the falls, when the sudden rising OF the
stream warned ME of the coming danger,
and | hurried from the water. In an in
cOnceivably brief space the river rose sew
eral feet and, half an hour afterward, the
whole breadth of the falls was roaring,
raging, fOaming mtss OF waves, dashed
against the Jagged rocks, to fall back III
clouds of foam. The spectacle was at
once beautiful and terrible. The citizens
had FASTENED down To witness the sight
directed to Mayo's Bridge, against which
the waves We're beating with eyer-increas
ing furce-when suddenly intelligence ran
through the crowd that "a boy, who had
been swimming, was caught on a mass Of
rock in mid-current in the falls above.
With the rest | hurried to the point oi
interest, and reached the banks opposite
the rock upOn which the boy had taken
refuge Ii rose about fifty yards from the
shore. and was already envirOned by the
raging current which boiled around it,
throwing up clouds of foam. The hoy was
about sixteen, slender, entirely naked, for
his clothes had been washed away; and
We could sec that Inc was white with the
anticipation Of swiitly-cCming destruction.
He chung Ia small mass OF shrubs grow
ing ont Of tho rock, and his ewes were al
ternatelr turned upon the furious torrent
around him and upon the crowd on shore.
Many hundred persons had quickly as
seTnOled, and each one hurIiedly suggested
some means of rescue. None seemed pos
sible. No boat could live for Il moment in
such q toFrent-the waves would have
dashed it TO pieces against the rocks. The
only possible means Of saving the BOYS
life seemed tO be for some one 10 swim 20
him with rope; bUt To attempt that APP
intense a. the pity and sympathy Of The
crowd. had become, no one seemed willing
IN ESSAY the desperate enterprise. Mean
while the water steadily rose higher. and
grew ever uOre threatening. Rocks in
the current-cnc large OF" especially
which moment before had been visible
Just beneath the surface. now entirely dis
appeared. the roaring waters steadily
crawied up the sides OF the mas upon
which the boy stood; and at last the angry
waves WISHED MS very teet u ne chung
despairingly 20 the swaying shrubs. 4
few moments now, al saw plainly. would
end the tragedy The unhappy lad would
quickly be washed away or submerged.
In either event he would be swept 10 the
Jagged lodges below. and his frail form
Dashed to pieces.
The excitement Of the crowd had now
become intense Every one held his breath.
paralyzed ny this spectacle of human be
ing about IL be swept TO destruction. All
al once, however. q loud shout arose. Ev-
cry one hastened to the spot where a man
was throwing off his clothes. \ brave
spirit lad resolved 10 attempt the rescue
Of the boy; and hurried with the rest TO
look al him. As | reached him he had
stripped naked for the desperate wrestle.
He WAS a tall, pOweTfully-iOTmed young
man Of twenty-five OF three apparently, IN
emplOye, il was said. in one of the great man
u1actories on the river and his clear, brave
eyes gave no sim of fear Without a
word he addressed himself to his perilOus
work Going up the river-b bank one OF
two hundred yards above. he tied the end
of ball of Irvine to his body, mounted
upon a ledge, made a vigorous dive to
reach the open current, and rising struck
CUT vigorously amid the huge waves
The crowd shouted. and then held then
breath. gazing ut the figure Of the swim
neT, Who seemed L mere leaf upon tht
furious torrent Tie was swept along Ike
lightning, dashed over the huge hiddeu
rJck have mentioned and the great mas.
OF foam which marked it moment after
ward another shout ascended, like g rc,,r
from the crOWd--the swimmer had reach
e the rock wherein the boy stood, anC
had clttchad hanging shrub which en-
abled him To draw himself UP out of tn,
caldron
We could then follow all his movement,
They were rapid, decisive anI self-pOssess
ell Indeed. not an instant was 10 lie lost
The water boiled already over the SUNNI
of the mass of rock. above which only the
bending shrubs were now seen The yOun:
man hastily drew toward him the Irvine
70 which those on shore had attacheda rop
If the size Of gaTden-line. The rope a
last reached him; he clutched il almOs
iiercely. tied ii around the boys waist. the
N the same manner secured IL around III
own perso1-he in adyance-and then. ill-
a. the hell OF winters foamed up aroln
him, surging raist-high, he threw hiInse
INTO the current, drawing the boy after hiI
toward the shore, where hundred hand
were dragging at he rope.
That few moments struggle with ii
fury of the Hood was one OF the most c,
citing incidents which have ever wiiues
sd The spectacle was indeed fearful. II
lives OF man and loy hung upon 4 thrca
A thrill ran through all hearts a loud Q,
elanafiOn followed The boy had disa
pe.red beneath the wavcs-the rope pui
ing him undrr-and then huge. ,hundc
M, remOTselt-s wall of foam rushed ov,
the head OF tine vOtn% man, too he sanl
The torrent swept over him, and not ira,
OF either man or boy was visible to the q
oni1ed eyes of the loOkers-on.
y moment aiterwa.G what seemed tN
corpses were dragged to shore out of II
current. A dozen hands caught them, az
a feeble movement of the young man
hand indicated that he was not dead. !
Itlt IpI inc rope AROUND MS D0dF.
eyes were turned in that direction II
rope had buried itself nearly, cutting in
his flesh; he was suffocating,
he rope was severed instantly, and
long breath from the violet lips indicate
the immense relief An instant afterwa
the young man rose to his feet, and, as
did 50, the boy, who had been assiduous
cared for, also opened his eyes, uttered
deep sigh, and then smiled. He "
snaiched from the very jaws of death a.
the courage Of an unknown friend b
alone saved him.
looked a. tina, friend. He was smilir
roo, and receiving with the modest air o