The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-04-25

I Thrilling AEvENTURE--N NARROW ESCAPE
FROM TOO MUCH WATER-Two DISTINGUISHED LAW
YERs SuBxEnGED-A GAME AucrIoNEER.-In con-
versation with gentleman of our city the other
day, remarking upon the expression SO frequeDt-
y used of accidental death, and fearful accident,
he said-it ought to be reversed, to read, "acci-
dental lfe--E*e live by accident" Illustrative
of the appositeness of tie reflection, we are about
to record thrilling adventure, in which the lives
of three we'll known citizens OF the valley were
saved by accident.
i On Thursday last Thos. j. Niche and N. K.
Trout, two prominent and well known lawyers of
the Staunton bar and s. NJ. Bowman, the popular
Rockin CHAM auctioneer, left Harrisonburg to
make sale of tract of land on Shenandoah river,
near Port Republic When they reached the riv-
er they found it very much swollen, and were
advised by resident OF the nelEhborhood, DE-.
Jacob Yost. not to attempt to ford the stream
with their horses. The suggestion was acted on,
and a skiff secured, into which a.! three OF the
professional gentleman placed their important
personages. OFF the little boat was launched up
on the bosom of the turbulent waves, as galiy as
the gohdoia that carried the ftful Byron from
his native shore. All went merry as o marriage
bell for about fifteen yards, when the little craft
showed signs of labor under the ponderous cargo
she bore. ssiIark twain -'.ten feet water''-
s'no Bottom was sung out by the mate. 'Ahoy,"
shouted the precious freight of the silvery locks.
s.What's the matter?" rolled from the judicial
lips of the Lord Mayor "The boats a-sinking,"
roared out the voluminous auctioneer, in his
highest notes: slump, swim, for your lives. =
And jumped they did, and swim as best as they
could The Lord Mayor took to the water like
duck-(He was raised nearby the river) and
was floating majestically shore-ward, with his
shawl wrapped around him. 'Save Mr.. Niche,
cried out Mr.. Bowman, as our venerable friend
was foundering amid the waves and his encon-
passing shawl; and forthwith moved towards,
reaching him, just in time to lay hold ofhim and
prevent perfect inundation. The two finally
reached the bank safely, drenched in water, and
shivering with cold. 'sWhy, the darned thing
sunk, ? remarked one of the party, as he cast
inauirine glance over the turgid waters to see
really what YVES the matter. The little dug out
had disappeared beneath the swollen waters, and
nothing was left but the living freight and that in
q pitiable plight.
The gentleman, however, were fortunate enough
to be in the vicinity of the hospitable residence
of Messrs. Weaver & Yost, aud were replenished
with dry clothes, cheerful fire, and On applica-
ton of that universal specific for heat and cold,
and sail the ills to which flesh is heir" glass
of old apple jack. Mr. Mchic was dyked out in
wedding suit ola person half his size, the under
garments, in waist, and neck, being spliced with
strings and cords to meet the emerg ency of the
occasion. The Lord Mayor was satisfied with
less pretentious out fit, and the Auctioneer, wrap
ped himself in whatever drapery was at hand,
aud laid himself down to pleasant dreams, with
the reflection that to shuttle off by reason of too
much water was not in his line Of business.
The presence of mind exercised by Mr.. Bow
man, doubtless saved Mr.. Niche from drowning,
rs his shawl was thorwn around and sntangled
his arms and shoulders so that he could not well
have padded his own canoe.
We congratulate all three Of the gentlemen up
on their narrow escape, and the fortunate circum-
stances which contributed to their comfort after
their drenching.