Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-06-29

| possloie to gam step, while the dark
| quit behind was widening quickly, and
seemed about to swallow us up. Getting
out OF the sleigh, seized the horses by
the head, and with desperation strove
to win my way amid the crash of huge
blocks rolling down over the unsteady
path, and the deatening sounds always
continuing. Lanes of water also began
10 open across our way, and only by
| efforts produced by extreme fear could
Our horses drag the sleigh over and
across the obstacles that beset us on
every side. To my horror | found that
the whole field was moving slowly down
ward. As far as | could see, the shore
line seemed almost at rest, but acceler-
atlng in motiyn as it nearcd the center.
| and touched the black. rolling tide.
where the masses of ice seemed engaged
in furious contest for the supremacy :;
leaping and tossing against each other,
appearing and disappearing in hundreds
| at y time.
Further progress with the sleigh be-
came impossible. 1t felt to me like a
horrid dream. What a fate had my mad
ness brought me and this innocent girl
to She was praying fcrvently. | seized
her 10y the hand, and begged her for
giveness for the calamity | had brought
upon her. Adele was true heroine,
and a brave hearted woman. Wasting
no time in reproaches, she said
/" ought, myself, to have known bet
ter. | should have warned you of the
danger of trusting to the ice at this time :;
but see! yonder is the island OF St.
al ,, b.,
reach that?'
Fresh hope inspired me at her words.
We seemed to be sweeping down to-
ward the point indicated hut the fear
seized me that, even should the mass
we were on remain firm, we might be
taken past the point, and so down into
the narrow channel between, where all
would be lost.
1t was time to exert myself. Lifting
Adele from the sleigh, wrapt the
butfalo-robe around her, and taking out
my knife, cut the horses loose, leaving
the long lines and part of the harness
still on then bidding her hold fast to
the reins, | encouraged the horses on,
trembling as they were. Clambering
over great blocks, springing across gaps
OF surglng water, slipping and falling at
nearly every step, we came toward the
edge of the large raft that we were on,
and could plainly see the effects of the
stream on its circumference, pounded
and ground as it was by its neighbors on
all sides.
The true channel of the river, hap
PLY for us, did not seem to widen much.
Between us and its black waters inter
vened at least a quarter Of a mile of
Jumps, varying in size from that we were
on to pieces rolling over like cannon
balls. Still we glided slowly on, no fur
thcr exertion was possible, when. with
a loud report, our raft cracked almost
under cur feet.
| had Just time to draw Adele back to
the center, as the rest separated. A
huge gulf yawned between us and our
horses. Such was the thickness of the
ice, however, that they were borne off
slowly toward the island; at the same
time the pressure around appeared to
increase.
A shock took place that threw us off
our feet. Despair took possession of me.
On every hand were pieces rolling over
the edge of ours, and adding to the
weight upon it. Quickly we were near
ing the island. Should we be carried off
on one side, Or stranded on the point?
| again rose to my feet, to take any
chance that might offer, and tried to in
fuse some confidence in my nearly ex-
hausted friend. She replied !eebly to
my words, but seemed to have lost hope
again.
suddenly terrible blow struck the
cake we were moving so swiftly upon.
srasped Adele in my arms, expect
ing nothing but to feel the touch of the
cold waters; but instead of that, there
appeared to be more so'idity to our craft
all motion ceased at once, as if an
chored fast. guessed Immediately that
we were stranded on the shadows
The point of the island was not more
than one hundred yards from us, and
the jam that had taken place was hold
ing the ice fast for q time.
Now now for our lives, Adele =
| cried and holding her tightly,
stepped from one block to another, and
by the mercy of heaven, kept my foot
ing until near shore, and dragged my
wet and halfdead companion on the
blessed land!
The lights from the fort above sleam-
ed cheerily out; and half leading, half
carrying Adele, | managed to get to a
house occupied by the soldiers wives,
where we had every attention paid to
US, amid torrent of questions as to
how we had escaped almost certain
death.
Some of the soldiers, on leave of alb
sence for the night, hurried out to see
if anything could be found Of our horses.
Extraordinary to relate, they were fovnd
shivering on the shore. which instinct
or accident enabled them to get to in
safety, though bruised with their rough
journey.
We stad on the island a day or two,
until communication was had with the
other side, where we were received as if
brought from the dead.
reimbursed Joe Valiant for the loss
of his sleigh but whether Miss Adele
received proper compensation for her
dangers by marrying me, | never could
get her to tell me.