The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-03-13


wanted, fioated down towards the falls,
they fell to work upon the pile beneath
them with a will.
They had hoped to have been able to
find the key-log that held the jam, and so
start the logs together, after few mo-
ments labor but this they soon found was
impossible, SO closely were they wedged
against the rock, and SO great was the force
of the water hurled against it; and so
they labored on for half an hour, dislodg
ing few a. time, until at last trem-
bling beneath them gave notice that the
jam was about to move.
''Come on, Bill, they are off, shouted
Gordon, as he sprang OF one of the outer
logs and with a sweep of his pike freed it
from the struggling mass, and set off on
his swift downward course.
''Come back" shouted Bill. ''Here's a
half dozen that mean to stay. 1 tho't you
would have courage to keep by a fellow
until the work WAS done"
Bill knew that it was impossible for him
to return or did heneed him. He thought
it was good chance to pay him off for the
words of the evening before, and so he i'm
proved it. Stepping from the logs upon
the rock, which afforded at the best but
an uncertain foothold, he with a little labor
loosened them, and they commenced float
ing down the stream. With leap he
sprang OH the hindmost, maintaining his
balance easily as practiced rope-walker
would have done, and allowed the log to
float downward after its companions. The
dron on either side and every now and
then through the flash of the fonm the
dark headed rocks would show themselves
for a moment, and the next be submerged
by the rushing torrent. These he would
avoid by sweep of the pole, while every
moment added to the velocity by which he
moved, until at last, as the falls burst into
sight round a cove, it seemed almost
wonder how it was that he managed to
keep his balance, upon his uneasy footing.
Gordon had gone over the same route
but moment before, and was standing in
triumph on the edge of the bank, to which
he had brought bis log as easily as he
would have managed canoe and there
among his companions who had run down
to witness their landing, he stood watch
ing the coming of Brown, who was making
the perilous journey with as much eclat as
he had done.
On he came. with now and then dip of
the pole in the water, and already he be-
gun to shape his course in where he stood,
when suddenly rush and roar, that
mingled with the din of the falls, sounded
above them and a great mass of ice and
water that had been detained, by a barrier
in the brook that had emptied into the
river, gave way, and came pouring down
4 fierce torrent, shooting far out into the
current. A cry of horror burst from the
lips of the spectators as they saw that it
had caught the log upon which their COM
rade was approaching and in spite of all
his efforts was carrying him out into the
centre of the river, while at the same time
he was nearing the brow of the falls, at a
speed that showed that no earthly power
could save him from taking the fatal leap.
'tFOr Gods sake, strike for your life,''
danger but the man needed not this to
incite him to do his utmost but which he
knew would avail him nothing. Each
brought him nearer to the fearful
spot and at last he ceased from bis efforts,
and turned a white, ghastly face towards
his mute companions. For moment the
log seemed to balance upon the very verge
of the falls, while Brown seemed hung sus-
pended i'll the air, and the next moment
the fearful leap was taken, and both man
and log were plunged into the raging pool
below.
F'Follew me-" shouted Hartwell, as he
sprang down over the cliffs but this Or
der was not needed, for some of the men
had already reached the edge cf the great
barrier into which the waters thundered !
before them, and eagerly they scanned the |
surface of the foam covered caldrOn, but |
with very faint hope indeed that they |
would ever see aught of their comrade |
again. But moment after, such 4 shout |
arose as the falls never heard before, and |
,ven its voice for time was drowned for |
,r curtain, hiding the face of the cataract, !
hey saw the head and shoulders of Bill .
Brown clinging to a log, which the action
If the water was rapidly moving towards |
he edge of the pool and three minutes
ater, eager aud willing hands pulled him !
.shore, among whom was Cy. Gordon, who
exclaimed as he grasped him by the hand
II take back all l have said, Bill, and
yote myself a fool in the bargain; and if
,ver hear you tell that you have been
,ver Niagara, it's So"
\ faint smile spread over Bill face, but
IS vet he had not found his tongue. They
,arried him up to the cabin and by the
,ext day lie was as well as ever and dur
pc the rest of the drive none cared to dis
,ute his stories, however improbable they
night seem.
TIE anti-temperance people of America
iopelessly fmplore, ''Die, Lewis y and
Al .bot thev will cheerfIIllv pay the eX-