The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-10-10

ii0iNA hiih' liz WOlhCu Ncli,lOI !lC NOTk-
ed for his life. Three months after this
boat retained its position, nor will it
move until the rock grinds its cable in
two, or the waters tear it into shreds.
Another plan must be devised, and
this, with American prqmptitude, was
soon done. A raft Of from twenty to
thirty feet long and five feet broad, was
knocked together with amazing rapidity
1t consisted of two stout poles, made
fast five feet assunder, by mailing four or
five pieces of two inch board DIT each ex-
tremity ;thhs the machine consisted of d
sort of skeleton raft with a small stage
at either end. On one of these stages
that to which the cables (of which there
were two were lashed-was tightly fixed
a large empty cask, for the sake of its
buoyancy, on the other 4 complete net
work of cords, to which the man was to
lash himself; also tin can of refresh
ments, 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, but the cords had in every in
stance been snapped, and the food lost.
The raft was finished, launched, and
safely let down to the log The poor
fellow committed himself to It's care; he
lashed his legs firmly, and then signaled
to draw himself up; thus for the second
time had the ropes began 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 upon all fours, keeping
his chin well elevated, to avoid being
drowned. We expected at every pull 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, had come in contact with rock,
and would not advance. The ropes were
slackened, she went back, but again
hitched on her return. 1t was then de-
termired to let her swing to another part
of the rapid, where the stream did not
appear so impassaole. This was done,
and a second attempt to draw it up was
made, half way between the log and the
opposite shore ia small Island This
also failed from the same cause, therefore
it was pr6p6sed to endeavor to let the
raft float down and swing round upon
the island This was commenced, but
with the cid result; the cable was caught
in the rocks, and the raft remained sta
tionary. However, she was floating ca
silly. and the poor fellow could rest.
Early in the day, for the afternoon
was now far advanced, one of the large
ferry boats (built expressly for crossing
beneath the falls,) had been brought up,
but had lain idle. This was now put into
requisition: and nobly she rode down to-
ward the raft, while in breathless silence
we all watched her as she dipped at the
various falls, and each time recovered
herself. l shuddered as She was launch
ed, for began to see that the man
could not be saved by boat; boat
never could return against rapid, how
ever we'll able to float down it, No soon
er would her bow come into contact
with q fall than it would dip, fill, and
spin around, as did the first skiff which
was lost.
The poor fellow himself was getting
impatient-visibly So He united his
lashing, stood upright upon the raft, ca
gerly waiting to seize the boat,and jump
into her. She had butt one more fall to
pass; and that was situated just above
where he stood she paused at the brink
of it, swung down like lightning, and,a
he leaned forward to seize her, she rose
on the returning wave, struck him in the
chest, and be struggled hopelessly in the
overwhelming torrent.
The exclamation Of horror, for it was
not cry, which burst from the thousands
who by this time were assembled, l shall
never forget, nor the breathless silence
with which we watched him, fighting
with the waters as they hurried him
along upright; waving both arms above
his head. We lost sight of him at inter.
walls, yet again and again he reappeared,
and thought hours must have passed in
lieu of one brief half minute. But the
end came at last; once more l saw his
arms wildly waved above his head, and,
in an instant, the crowd turned from the
spot in dead silence. The man was lost.
-AH the Year Round.