Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-10-04

current, she went over the falls--the
second sacrifice to the poor fellow, who
stil clung to the log swaying between
hore and fear. The loss of this boat
seemed great blow to him, and he ap-
peared, as far as we could judge at a
distance, at times to give way to the ut
most despair. A third boat was now
brought - wooden, very long and fat
bottomed Its passage was most fortu-
nate, and as she floated down, even
alongside the log without accident, hope
beamed in every countenance, and we all
felt that the man might be saved Hope
also had revived him. He stood for
some time u ION the l"g. making signals
to those who directed the boat. HHf
He now eagerly seized her, drew her
towards him. jumped into her, and made
signs to them to draw him up This
was commenced. hut some of the tackle
had caught, and it was deemed necessary
to let it loose for an instant This was
done; the boat Aoated a few feet down
the rapid, swung around the lower end
of the log, entang'ing the cable beneath
it. and then remaining i,nmovabie fixed.
Once more the poor fellow work began.
He drew off one of his boots and baled
the boat, he pushed at the log, climbed
upon it, and used every possible exerton
to move the boat. but in vain An hour
was spent in these frui'less efforts-an
hour of terrible suspense to all who be
held him. He worked well, for he
worked for his life. Three months af-
ter. this b ,at retained its position, nor
will it move until the rocks grind its
ca le in two. or the waters tear it piece
meal into shrrds.
Another plan must be devised. and
this. wnh American prompi'ude, was
soon done A raft from twenty to thir-
~ feet long a. d FIVE feet broad was
knocked together with amazing .apidi'y
1t consisted of two stout poles. mace
fast, FIVE feet asunder, by mailing four or
five pieces Of two-inch board at each ex-
tremitv thus the machine consisted of a
sort of skeleton raft with small stage at
either end. One of these stages-tbat
to which the cables (of Which there were
two) were lashed-was tightly fixed a
large empty cask, for the sake of its
buoyance. on the other complete net
work of cords to which the man was to
lash himself also tin can of refresh
ments, he having taking nothing since
the evening before; three or four similar
cans, by the way, had been let down to
him already attached to strong pieces. ."i
new line. but the cords had in every IN,
stance been snapped. and the food lost
The raft was finished. launched, and
safely left down to the log. The poor
fellow commit, d himself to its care. he
lashed his legs firmly. and then signaiied
to draw him up thus for the second
time the ropes had begun to be drawn
up the raft advanced under the first pull,
but its head. owing to the great light
cask, dipped beneath it, and as the raft
still advanced. the water broke over it TO
such depth that the man was obliged to
raise himself on all fours, keeping his
chin well elevated. to avoid being
drowned. We expected at every pull to
to see his head go under. but alas they
pulled in vain for the front of the raft
pressed down by the weight of falling
water, hal come in contact with the rock
and would not advance. The ropes were
slackened. she fell back, but again hitched
in her return. 1t was then determined
to let her swing to another part of the
rapid. where the stream did not appear
so impossible This was done, and a
second attempt to draw it up was made
half way between the log aud the op
poste shore "a small island.) This also
failed from the same cause. therefore il
was proposed to endeavor to let the raft
float down and swing round upon the
island. This was commenced but with
the old result, the cable was caught in
the rocks and the raft remained station
ary. However. she was floating easily.
and the poor fellow could rest. f1
O. Early in the day. !or the afternoon
was now far advanced. one Of the large
ferry boats (built expressly for crossing
beneath the falls) had been brough b up
but had lain idle This was now put in
to requisition, and npbly she rode down
toward the raft, whilst in breathless si
lence we all watched her as she dipped
at the several falls, and each time re,
covered herself. shuddered as she was
launched. for began to zee that the
man could not be saved by a boat; a
boat never could return against rapid,
however well able to float down it. Nc
sooner would her bow come incontac,
with fall than it would dip, filI, and
spin round, as did the hrst skiff, which
was lost 1soo yus rs wf' 7di f;2inI m
Tire poor fellow himself was getting
impatient-vi-ibly so.7d He united hi
lashing. stood upright upon the raf: