The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-08-17
unaccustomed to the work. We both
often pnused to rest.
= A Z last r hearl lin, cLn11t

often paused to rest.
At last I heard him shout
"Here's a pretty go, Martin this con-
founded pinnacle projects matter of
two feet above the top bar of the ladder.
I don't see how to Chamber over it"
Come down, then, like q sensible
fellow" cried, for 1 heartily wished
the adventure over.
''Oh, go to Bath !" was the courteous
retort, and looking up perceived Brad
ner'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 astiide of it facing
each other. ~
It was then that the horror of our sit
uation seemed first to burst upon each
of us. I looked down, and two hundred
and fifty feet below lay the town, and
the great square, filed with people, eyi-
IDENTIFY intently gazing up at us, and look
ing no bigger than dolls. Then glanc-
ing at tie churchyard directly beneath,
it presented the appearance of small,
level grass plot, with white mice running
over it, for to my bewildered vision the
very gravestones seemed to move. I felt
that I was becoming dizzy the fiaky
clouds aboYe appeared to flash by with
sickening rapidity, and L threw my arms
backwards round the tail of the cock for
support
At this moment hallow, harsh laugh
broke from my companion for the first
time glanced at his face, and the ter
rible expression depicted there 1 shall
never forget.
His eyes flashed lurid and wild, his
face was pale as a corpse, and light
foam stood upon his lips.
"Isn't this glorious?" he screamed
with another maniacal laugh, fright to
the blazing sun, tell you We are soar
ing fast. Look at the gaping crowd be-
low. All all they can't stay u.s.
There's the old church tower, too, l
should say mile down; but where is
the spire-the tall spire we climbed up
once? 'tis gone, never mind Oh, brave
bird % and he struck the cock with the
fiat of his hand, as if TO encourage its
fight.
A terrible thought struck me- My
friends reason, so lately Frustrated with
brain fever, had left him. / was alone
with mailman.
This idea was soon confirmed. Again
rang forth the shrill hallow laugh, and
again Bradney shouted with the accents
of.delirium
"Ah ah faster ahtl 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 votex. 1 say, Martin, let us throw
ourselves off this stupid birds back we
shall get along faster without him."
ono no, Bradney ; I'm tired and like
10 ooOi "iiCiO We oACs L iO-
piled, for knew it was the best way to
humor mailman, but my words had no
effect. With an unnatural chuckle he
answered me:
s'No, no, my boy, you promised to
follow me, and you shall come off with
me. or I'll pull you off by main force.
We fly 80 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
clutching and mounting. 1 saw his in
tention. again glanced below more
fearful than even seemed to me the fear
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 maniac2 At this moment gust of
wind caused the rane to spin round from
east to north that sudden blast saved
my life. Poor Bradney lost his balance
and fell from the giddy height. 1 saw
him sink through the dir, strike against
pinnacle of the tower and rebound like
q ball.
remember nothing more until re-
covered consciousness, many hours after
ward, and found myself in bed.