The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-05-06
A NIGHT or PERIL.


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 quarricd 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
deatening. 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, hundred feet below.
Now, lie down here and crawl just up
to the edge and look over. There, that's
fine sight, isn't it? There's no fear,
for y gu can't fall, even if you turn giddy.
Now, you might drop plumb line from
here right into those. silvery breakers
just beneath us and the length of that
line would be 23O feet. Fine sight this,
isn't it: There's the Lizard, with its
lights; there to the lcft's Black Head !;
and in front of you, rock after rock
fighting against the long-rolling waves
that never cease their attacks, but AS
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
lycolored sea-weeds. But now watch
carefully where drop this big piece of
rock There's a ledge down there, about
hundred feet above the sea-a spot
where l 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 will be on the shelf l
mean; for think l can hit the spot,
though, looking down, one ledge is so
confused with the other that I 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 it. 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 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
q 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 awk ward 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 l had another try,
for l had regular climbing fit upon me.
And at last there l stood; and then sat
with my legs dangling over the precipice
till l felt rested; and then, half drawn,
half climbing, l made my way up. And
thoroughly satisfied that we should do no
good in that direction l went back to nv
lodgings with the intention of exploring
in another direction the next day.
went to bed very tired that night and
we'll recollect lying down; but my next
sensation was that of cold. and deep,
roaring noise seemed ringing in my cars.
l tried to think of what it could be for
was too sleepy to feel startled; and
stretching out my hands they fell upon
the cold, bare rock. 1 was thoroughly
awake the next moment, though l could
not believe it; and closed and opened
my eyes again and again, because it all
seemed so utterly impossible. l felt that
l 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, as
it were, right beneath me that deep,
heavy, rolling roar of the waves as they
tumbled in over the rocks, dashed into
the caves and then poured out again.
AT last l slowly opened my eyes, bat
Ting all the while with my thoughts to
m axe them take the direction wanted
But all in vain; for as looked there was
the moon shining full upon me; the cool
night breeze was blowing; and there,
right b low me, just as we are looking
upon them now, only five times as
rough, were the foam-topped waves
rushing and beating in.
tried again to think it was dream
but cold shiver ran through me-a
shudder of fear and dread-and there
was digging my nails into the crevices
of the rock, whose gray moss crumbled
under my fingers; while with horrible
dread seeming to turn me into stone it.
self, 1drew up NY legs, and covered close
to the rock, ready even to seize anything
any more safe.
That fit of horrible fear only lasted a
few minutes, and then seemed to re.
cover my nerve; and, standing up, l be-
gan to wonder how l had come there
climed along the day before. I had rec.
ognized the ledge again from its pecul.
lar shape and the steep rock at the end
which stopped further travelling in one
direction: while for moment I fancied
that trick had been played me, and
that had been lowered down by rope.
Under the influence of that thought ]
shouted two or three times; but my voice
seemed lost, and the cold chill Of fear
began to creep over me again, so that
felt that if I wished to save my life
must fight for it. So, thoroughly awak
ened to my danger, and now feeling that
from the excitement of what had gone
through must have climbed down in my
sleep, l cheered myself on with the ides
that If l could climb down could clint
up again; and then l cautiously made
my way to the end of the ledge, when Z
thought struck me, and I again sa
down.