The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-09-14

1t lay completely on IFS side above the
log, and with its hollow inside directed
toward the bridge played upon by the
whole force of the current, which fixed
its keel firmly against the log 1t seemed
immoyable. The man himself clim bed
toward it, and in vain tried to pull, lift or
shake the boat nor was it moved until
both cables being brought to one side of
the river, by the united force Of fifty or
sixty men, she was disiodged and swung
down the rapid upside down, finally pitch
ing head!ong beneath an eddy, entangling
one of her cables on the rocks, and there
lying beneath heavy fall of water, un-
Ill, in the course cf the day, one of the
cables being broken by the efforts of the
men to dislodge her. and the other by thc
sheer force of the current, she went over
the falls-the second sacrifice to the poor
fellow, who still c!ung to the log swayeG
between hope and fear. The loss of this
boat seemed a great blow to him, and he
appeared. as far as we conld judge at
distance, at times TO give way 10 despair.
A third boat was now brought-wooden,
very long and fiat>bottomed. Its passage
was most fortunate, and as she foated
down, even alongside the log without ac-
cident, hope bearned in,every countenance,
and we all felt The man might be saved.
Hope also had revived in him. He stood
for some time upon the log making signals
to those who directed the boat.
He now eagerly seized her, drew her
towards him, jumped into her, and made
signs to them TO draw him up. This was
commenced, but some of the tackle had
caught, and it was deemed necessary 10
leave it loose for an instant. This was
done the boat fioated few feet down
the rapids, and swung round the lower
end Of the log, entangling The cable be-
meath it, and then remained immovably
fixed. Once more the poor fellows work
! began. He drew off one of his boots and
bailed the beat, he pushed at the log,
climbed upon it, and used every possible
exertion 10 move the boat, but in vain
An hour was spent in these fruitless ef-
forts-an hour of terrible suspense to all
who beheld him. lie worked well, for
be worked for his life. Three months
after, this boat retained its position, nor
will it move until the rocks grind it's cable
in two, or the waters tear it piecemeal
into shreds.
Another plan must be devised, and
this, with American promptitude, was
soon done. A raft of from twenty TO
thirty feet long and five feet broad was
knocked together with amazing rapidly.
1t consisted of two stout poles, made fast,
five feet assunder, by mailing four or five
pieces of two inch board at each cxtremi-
ty thus the machine consisted of sort
of skeleton raft with small stage at either
end On one of these stages-that to
which ihe cables (of which there were
two) were lashed-was tightly fixed
large empty cask, for the sake of its buoy
ancy, on the other complete network of
cords, TO which the man was to lash him
self; also a tin can of refreshments, he
having taken nothing since the evening
before three or four similar cans, by the
way, had been let down-to him already,
attached to strong pieces of new line, bat
the cords had in every instance been
snapped and the food lost.
The raft was finished, launched, and
safely let down to the log. The poor
! fellow committed himself to its care. he
lashed himself firmly, and then signalIed
! to draw him up thus for the second time
/ the ropes had begun TO be drawn up, the
raft advancing under the first pull, but
! its head, owing to the great light cask.
| dipped beneath it, and as the raft still adj
vanced, the water broke over it TO such
/ depth that the man was obliged 10 raise
| himself upon all fours, keeping his chin
well elevated, TO avoid being drowned
We expected a. every pull to see his head
90 under, but alas ! they pulled in vain,
| for the front of the raft, pressed down by
the weight of falling water, had come in
contact with rock, and would not ad-
vance. The ropes were slackened, she
| fell back, but again hitcbed 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 and the opposite shore "a small
island This also failed from the same
cause, therefore it was proposed TO en>
deavor to let the raft float down and swing
round upon the Island. This was com>
menced but with the old result, the cable
was caught in the rocks, and the raft re-
mained stationary. However, she was
floating easily, and the poor fellow could
/ rest.
Early in the day, for tho afternoon was
now far advanced, one of the large ferry
boats TbniIt expressly for crossing beneath
the falls had been brought up, but had
] lain idle This was now pnt into requi-
s;tion, and nobIy she rode down toward
the raft, whilst in breathless silence we
all watched her as she dipped at the va
rious falls, and each time recovered her,
self l shuddered as she was launched.
for began to see that The man could not
be saved by boat boat never could
return against rapid, however we'll able
| Il No rUnI,ld hnr