The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-09-12
CHE Gtn1es, Mem Bloonrftelo, 11a.


brought wooden, very long and fiat bot
toned. Its passage was most fortunate,
and as she foated down, even alongside
of the log without accident, hope beamed
in every countenance, and we all felt the
man might be saved. Hope also had re-
vived 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
toward 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 to
let it loose for an instant This was
done the boat foated a few feet down
the rapid swung round the lower end of
the log, entangling the cable beneath it,
and then remained immovably fxed.-
Once more the poor fellows work began.
He drew off one of his boots and bailed
the boat, he pushed at the log, climbed
upon it, and used every possible exertion
to move the boat, but in vain An hour
was spent in fruitless efforts-an hour of
terrible suspense to all who beheld him.
He worked well, for his life, Three
months after, this boat retained its posi-
ton, nor will it move until the rocks
grind its cable in two, or the waters tear
it pecemeal 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 rapidity.
1t consisted of two stout poles, made fast,
five feet asunder, by mailing four or five
pieces of two inch board at each extrem-
ity; thus the machine consisted Of a sort
Of skeleton raft with small stage at eli
ther 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 a 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 its care, he
lashed his legs firmly, ana then signalled
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 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 a rock,
and would not advance The ropes were
slackened, she fell back, but again hitch
in her return. 1t was then determined
to let her swing to another part of the
rapid, where the stream did not appear
impossible. This was done, and sec
ond attempt to draw it up was made,
half way between the log aud the oppo-
site shore-a small island. This also
failed from the same cause, therefore it
was proposed to endeavor to let the raft
float down and swing round upon the is
land. This was commenced but with the
old result, the cable was caught in the
rocks, and the raft remained stationary
However, she was floating easily, 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 be-
meath the falls--had been brought up,
but had lain idle This was now put in
to requisition, and nobly she rode down
toward the raft, whilst in breathless ST.
lence we all watched her as she dipped at
the various falls, and each time recover
ed herself. / shuddered as she was
launched, for | began to see that the man
could not be saved by boat; a boat new
er could return against rapid, however
well able to float down it. No sooner
would her bow come into contact with a
fall than it would dip, fill, and spin
round, as did the first skiff that was lost.
The poor fellow himself was getting
impatient-visibly SO. He united his
lashing, stood upright upon the raft, eager
ly waiting to seize the boat, and jump
into her. She had but one more fall to
pass, and that fall was situated just above
where he stood; she paused at the brink
of it, swung down it like lightning, and