The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-07-10

"Here's pretty 30, Martini this con
founded pinnacle projects matter OF two
feet above the top bar Of the ladder. ]
don't zee how to Chamber over It,"
"Come down, then, like sensible fel
low" cried, for heartily wished the id
venture was over.
'sOh, 20 to BATH" was the courteous
retort, and, looking up, I perceived Brad
ney's legs dangling in the air, as he en-.
deavored to Chamber over the projecting
stonework to reach the iron vane.
In this he succeeded. was equally
lucky. A moment later, aided by the
cross bars which marked the points of the
compass, we ascended the huge weather
cock and sat astride of it, facing each
other.
1t was then that the horror of our situa.
ton seemed first to burst upon each Of
US. looked down, and two hundred and
fifty feet below laid the town, and the
great square, filed with people, evidently
intently gazing up at us, and looking no
bigger than dolls. Then glancing at the
church-yard directly beneath, it presented
the appearance of a small, level grass
plat with white mice running over il, for
to my bewildered vision the very grave
stones seemed to move. I felt that was
becoming dizzy; the f1aky clouds above
seemed to flash by with sickening rap
idity, and l threw my arms backward
round the tail of the cock for support.
At this moment hollow, harsh laugh
broke from my companion; for the first
time looked in his face, and the terrible
expression depicted there I shall never for
get. ::
His eyes flashed lurid and wild, his face
was pale as corpse, and light foam
stood upon his lips.
isn't this glorious ?" he screamed, with
another maniacal laugh, fright to the
blazing sun, I tell you, we are soaring
fast. Look at the gaping crowd below.
All! ali! they can't stay us. There's the
old church tower, too, should say mile
down; but where is the spire-the tall
spire we climbed up once? tits gone;
never mind! Oh, brave birdr' and he
struck the cock with the flat of his hand,
as if to encourage its flight.
A terrible thought struck me. My
friends reason, so lately Frustrated with
brain fever, had left him. I was alone
with a mailman!
! This idea was soon confirmed. Again
rang forth the shrill, hollow laugh, and
again Bradney shouted, with the accents
Of delirium:
All! ali! Faster and faster! See the
blood-red clouds above and below us! The
world is gone! There is the sun, ball of
fire; and we are sailing into its very vor-
tex. l say, Martin, let us throw ourselves
off this stupid birds back; we shall get
along faster without him.
mo, no, Bradney; I'm tired, and like
riding; let us stop where we are" re-
piled, for l knew it was the best way to
humor mailman; but my words had no
effect. With an unnatural chuckle, he
answered me:
mo! no, my boy, you promised to fol-
low me, and you shall come off with me,
or I'll pull you off by main force. We
fly so fast that if we don't take the leap
at the same moment, one will be dropped
twenty, eh, thirty miles behind"
He crept toward me as he spoke, still
and mouthing. l saw his in
tention. l again glanced below; more
depth at my feet.
Tighter, with the tenacity of despair,
grasped the tail of the gilded bird; but
what would that avail against the strength
Of a maniacl At this moment gust of
wind caused the vane to spin round from
east to north; that sudden blast saved my
life. Poor Bradney lost his balance and
fell from the giddy height. l saw him
sink through the air, strike against
pinnacle of the tower and rebound like
ball.
/ remember nothing more until recov-
cred consciousness many hours afterward
and found myself in bed.