Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-05-06
A NIGHT Or PERIL.
BY GEORGE MANyILLE FENN.

BY GEORGE MANvILLE FEM.
Five years ago / came down here as
foreman, for we were busy at that time
Guarrying this serpentine rock for orna-
mental masonry, and my duty then was
to investigate bit here and there along
the face of the rock for good veins of the
stone. What we want, you see, are rich
Unmarked, snowy pieces that will cut
and polish we'll; some being firm and
good, but when quarried out not having
the requisite qualities for our work.
Many time I've been all along the face
OF this precipice, climbing from ledge TO
ledge, holding on to a rope fastened
round my waist, and chipping the rock
here and there. Now, I'd swing ever SO
far TO reach a ledge, then I'd be lowered
down, then drawn up; for | always took
care TO have three stout and true men up
above at the end of the rope, while, for
further security, they'd drive strong
pin into the rock to twist the rope
round.
Fine veins I've marked down, to O, at
different times, and from being used to
the work our men will 60 on chipping
and working away as coolly as can be
when the waves come laundering in and
then, striking the face of the rock, fly up
in storm of spray, while the noise is
deafening. OF course they can't do that
when the wind reaches them, but when
sheltered they'll take no more notice Of
the waves than if they were SO much
smooth grass just beneath them instead
of, perhaps, a hundred feet below.
Now, lie down here and crawl Just up
to the edge and look over There, that's
fin irhf
for you can't fall, even if you turn giddy
here right into those silyery breakers
just beneath US and the length of that
line would be $50 feet. Fine sight this,
isn't it9 There's the Lizard, with its
lights there to the left's Black Head !;
and in front of you, rock after rock
fighting against the long-rolling waves
that never cease their attacks, but MS
one is broken and falls back into the
ocean in hundreds of little waterfalls
another comes tearing in to try and wear
down the rock. When the sea is very
calm, even from this height you may
look down into the beautiful clear water
and see the rocks beneath, covered in
places where they are sheltered by rich
ly-colored sea-weeds. But now watch
carefully where drop this big piece of
rock There's ledge down there, about
hundred feet above the sea-a spot
where | stood twice; the first time by
daylight, with rope around my body;
the second time by moonlight and with
out the rope. Now watch, and when the
stone strikes it win be on the shelf
mean; for think | can hit the. spot,
though, looking down, one ledge is so
confused with the other that | don't
think l could point it out so that you
could understand. Mind, too, when the
stone splits up into pieces, and you will
see the birds fly out in all directions.
There, thought / could do 1t. That's
the ledge and there they go, gulls and
shag; but they don't mind; and after
screaming like that for few minutes
and having a circle round they'll settle
down again as if they had not been dis
turbed.
Well, that was the ledge stood on one
day, after slowly clambering down, with
rope around me, in search of good,
we'll marked vein. Now as a matter of
course we should not have set men to
work there, for it was too awkward a
spot; but after swinging here, pulling
there and gradually making my way
along the face of the cliff, ] saw that
ledge overhanging the mouth of the cave,
and shouting to the men above to hold on
tightly | felt so strong desire to stand
there that l went on and on-now as
cending little way, now climbing down
Twice / was about to give 1T up; but
after breathing bit / had another try
for had regular climbing fit upon me
And at last there I stood; and then sal
with nv legs dangling over the precipice
till l felt rested; and then, half drawn
half elm bing, / made my way up. And
thoroughly satisfied that we should do nc
good in that direction went back to my
lodgings with the intention of exploring
in another direction the next day.
went to bed very tired that night and
well recolle1 lying down; but my nex'
sensation was that of cold. and deep
roaring noise seemed ringing in my ears
/ tried to think of what it could be for
was too sleepy 10 feel startled; ano
stretching out my hands they fell upon
the cold, bare rock. was thoroughly
awake the next moment, though / could
not believe it; and l closed and opened
nv eyes again and again, because IT al
seemed SO utterly impossible. felt tina,
must be asleep and that this was VIVID
dream-the consequence OF the excite
ment and exertion of the previous day
So convinced was that it was dream
that l began to wonder to myself how
long it would last; while ever came, al
it were, right beneath me that deep
heavy, rolling roar of the waves as the,
tumbled in over the rocks, dashed int
the caves and then poured out again.
At last slowly opened my eyes, bat
Ting all the while with my thoughts {
make them take the direction wanted
But all in vain for as looked there wa
the moon shining full upon me; The COZ
night breeze was blowing; and there
right below me, just as we are looking
upon them now, only five times a
rough, we're the foam-topped wave
rushing and beating in.
I tried again to think 1t was Q dream
Int a cold shiver ran through me