Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1877-09-22

there suddenly sounded in my ears a
roar so loud, aud Increasing so rapidly
In volume, that I started, and looking up
perceived that now indeed the fall had
become grandly augmented. It was swol-
len at least to twice the size it had been
ten minutes before; tt was magnificent
stood up quite excited, but not even
for one moment dreaming of danger.
T0wn-bred idiot that was, quite unac-
aualnred with the terrific force of the
elements when once tstloosed, never
imagined for second that l could be
placed In peril by q FAC: so beautiful us
this now before me. In the exaggrration
which ignOraice give to my estimate of
these natural wonders thought 1 was
gazing at harmless Niagara; had new
er seen anything halt 90 beautiful while
the almost deafening, thunderoHs roar
which accompanied 1t was such Y new
phase OF my fav0rite music that stood
spellbOund with sort of wild delight.
Not for many minutes, however, 4 heavy
rain-cloud, that had suddenly Overswept
the sky, warned me to retreat. turned
with this purpose toward the Stepping
stones by which I always regalned the
precipitous bank of the river. To my
horror they had all disappeared, and In
their place boiling, bubbling ferment
Of brown water and frothy foam was
sweeping along at q tremendous pace.
Them in an instant knew that the river
was rising rapidly. Any ole but fool
would have foreseen this as the natural
consequence of the increase of the water
fall. Right and left and all around the
river had now become boiling cauldron
of broken water; was cut off from all
hope Of retreat; and should be washed
away like fly knew.
= Helpless and scared, stood irresolute
yet moment longer.
I recollect in this dire emergency sud-
denly observing . still further increase
in the volume of the tall. and almost
simultaneously with 1t feeling my legs
slip from under me as the brown water
gurgled In my ears and glistened In my
eyes. Then there was a choking, help
less, tumbling pressure forward, several
sharp blows upon my legs and arms. an
effort to strike out, met by coming In
contact with more rocks, and then a
whirl and twirl and q spinning round as
IL had been a cork. = ~ - @asa
The swimmers instinct, however, was
of some use after all, for, i'm the first
place., It enabled me to retain q little
presence of mind, and, In the second. to
| bring my head up to the surface after
the first plunge. l saw | was already O
long way from the upper fall. and an adj
fitiOnal pang was given to my sensations
" the recollection that was being bur-
ried on toward the lower, over which. II
were carried, l must inevitably be
drowned. Fortunately, just now was
carried by the current close In under
one of these sheer-down sides, aud for
the fiftieth time sent spinning round in
the eddy like cork.
1 made hopeless grab at the smooth
and slippery surface. much as the drown
ing man catches at the proverbial straw.
for I was by this time getting exhausted
and suffocated by the constant rolling
over which the torrent gave me. Ibid
Just manage to get a finger hold In a
crack. and to steady myself somewhat;
and could not lift much more than my
sort was out of the question.
Yet to remain where I was much
longer was impossible. Could but have
u
able to reach an overhaneing bough of one
of the thickIy growing young ash-sap-
lings, the roots of which projected from
the earthly top OF the rock yard or two
above.
o. haw / longed for giants arm. that
[ might touch that Dough! Twice
made futile effort to spring out of the
water at it. but only exhausted myself.
and had the greatest difficulty i'm retain
ing my support.
Was sinking and losing conscious.
ness, and is this to be the end. thought
with that music still i'm my ears? And
10! what vision is that which behold
Surely an angels face looking down from
amidst the leafy roof above me! Yes
my life must be passing away in dream
of beautiful sights and sounds. For 9
moment or two more such was the vague
conclusion floating through my dazed
mind, nor was it at once dispelled by 9
perfectly audible and silvery voice, say
ing: .r'
'srry to reach 1t now think you can
quick, try This can be no ILLUSION
this can be no phantom born of drown
ing mans fancy; this Is sweet reality
and i'm that bending branch, now steadily
descendlngsto within my grip, see my
life restored to me and my hopes re
newed.
a have the delicate end Of the bougf
in my hands, yes, automatically hav,
seized 1t, and already it helps to lift m,
higher out Of the. water. Int-isdl
"Be very cautious" says the vote,
once more. 'Take great care, or it viii
snap. There, wait so, whilst pull this
strong one down, and that will hold you
weight better-now, so :" and I'm anothe
minute / have grasped this stronger one
l managed to raise myself by it little
and to put the tips of my toes into tn,
assure of the. rocks by which had Q,
long held with the tips OF my fingers.
Then a soft. firm hand Is held out t,
me, and taking it finally, by one 80
preme effort, pull myself we'll up anon,
the underwood and twisted roots at tn,
top Of the cliff.
Too exhausted to speak or think,
threw myself down upon the steep hill
side among the long grass and terms be
tween the trees. Then think 1 dit
really lose consciousness for while, for
do not remember seeing the pretty
graceful girl who had saved my life unit
1 found her kneeling at my side, endeav
oring to raise my head as she wiped th,
streaming water from my forehead ant
hair. ..o - ..r,-.
swat here" she said, sand will run
to the inn for help: won't be long
There, lean against that tree trunk"
"Pray STOP" stammered feebIy g
shall soon be all right. lam really yer,
much Obliged to you"
"Oh, never mind that" she answered
brightly (; ''if you can walk so much tn,
better. Get up, and come along at once
you must get your wet clothes Off"
l rose and shook myself feeling yer,
bewildered, sick and scared. :
"Here-up this way" she cried. I"