The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-03-15
A THRILLING ADVENTURE,
saved by 8 Old Coronation -

1t was-l don't remember the precise
year-5ut it was when | was about seven
teen years old, and when | lived in the
New England village where | was born,
and from which | had hardly ever been
away.
1t was the day before Thanksgiving
the only holiday that New England knows
much about, ard about which the rest of
the world know so very little. For three
nights before, the cold had been very
severe for that time or the year, and the
newly-formed ice en- the pond was smooth
and clear " hat were we all to do next
day, 'sthe gladdest, merriest day. of all
the year, besides to 20 to church aud eat
the feast that had been so long in prepar-
alton? That was the question asked by
my strong, earnest, older friend who had
come from Boston to spend Thanksgiving.
"Skate, of course" | answered.
"But why not try the ice TO aight 2n he
asked.
could see no reason, and SO we bound
on our skates and few, as 1t were, over
th~ CLASSY surface of the pond to the
cove, about which were piles of pine tree
boughs. Once there, wo conceived the
idea of how grand it would be to skate
back TO the village, collect together the
wemen and girls, take suitable provisions
tor picnic, place them all on slelghs and
hand sleds, draw them to this place, and
eat supper on these rocks, amid the
glare of the burning tree-tops. We were
not long IN Carrying out our plans, for
almost every house had its sleighs and
skates, and those that were destitute Of
either united with some of their neighbors.
An hour and the lake was covered by the
merriest skating party that the lake had
ever witnessed. And then the supper,
the bonfire, the songs, the merry-making
L sbudder to think of such boislerous
sport, with an impending death so very
near The sport was over at length, the
apples eaten, the cider drank, the songs
sung, the stories told, and the once great
flames among the resinous pine needles
were now smOuldering among the limbs,
or lingering in the stumps and roots. 1t
was nearly time to 60 And so the com.
pany was breaking up into little knots as
we came.
''Tie all the sleighs anG sleds together"
my strong friend shouted, the last to leave
the spot. The order was soon oheyed.
Each little vehicle was ranged from ten
to twenty feet apart, according to the
length of the ropes or leading lines
which we had; and three or four skaters
were stationed between them Then, two
much longer ropes were stretched from
either side of the long lines, of which
some twenty more skaters took hold.
With shout and whoop, such as Indians
give when rushing into battle, we started
on the Ice. The line, first straight or
waving little where the poor skaters
were, soon took the form of crescent;
and. with d elamor of voices and the
grating of skating irons, we sped over the
ice.
My strong friend and | were soon on
one of the side ropes, and we held the
place nearest to the sleighs We had not
proceeded far before perceived that the
ice was bending up in front of us, and
could scarcely hear it crack among the
noise OF the shutters. | spoke not a word.
but looked intently into my companions
face. onl y thought that, SO long as we
kept in motion as we were then doing.
we might pass the terrible danger. But
| knew very well if the true state of
affairs were known, apanic would spread
along the line, some skaters would drop
out, and then the..sleighs and their pre-
clous burdens must sink to The bottom.
L cannot forget the horror of that
moment moment that seemed an age.
was faint myself, but | only shuddered
lest some skater should fall. | could not
speak for fear but | almost feared lest
the other voices should stop, and the
cracking Of the ice should be heard by
the women, who would be sure to scream.
My thoughts were on God my eyes were
liked en- the face of my friend | was
fairly drawn along up the curvlng ice.
that seemed to rise higher before us eyery
moment. Cold sweat was on my fore.
head, but L could not loosen my hand from
the rope to wipe it off. My friend noticed
that was lagging-I, who was so expert
skater. His eyes caught mine, and by
hat sort of intuitive language thar wet
sometimes have in time of great danger,
he became aware of our dreadful situa.
ton, heard the cracking of the ice, and
saw 1t, felt 1T risins in front of us.
What did the strong man do? Flee
like a coward from the danger he had
brought us to, and escape to the land ?
Did the alarm seize him that had over
me? Far otherwise. Raising