The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-09-01

fool would have fOrseen this as the natura
consequence Of the increrse in the water
fall. Right and left and all around the
river had now become boiling caldron o.
broken water; was cut off from all hope
of retreat, and should be washed away lik,
fly, | knew.
Helpless and scared, stood irresolutC
yet a moment longer.
recollect in this dire emergency sud
denly observing still further increase il
the volume of the fall, aud almost stimuli
taneously with it feeling my legs slip from
under me as the brown water gurgled ia
my ears and glistened in my eyes. Then
there was choking, helpless, tumbing
pressure forward, several sharp blows upon
my legs and arms, an effort to strike out
met by coming in contact with more rocks
aud then whirl and twirl and spinning
round as it | had been cork.
The swimmers instinct, however, was
of some use after all, for, in the first place,
it enabled me to retain little presence OF
mind, and, in the second, to bring my head
up to the surface after the first plunge. |
saw | was already a long way from the
upper fall, and an additional pang was
given to my sensations by the recollection
that | was being hurried on toward the
lower, over which if | was carried | must
inevitably be drowned Fortunately, Just
now | was carried by a current close in
under one Of these shcer-down sides, and
for the tiitieth time sent spinning round
in tho eddy like Il cork
made n helpless grab at the smooth
and slippery surface, much as the drown.
ing man catches at the proverbial straw,
for | was by this time getting exhausted
and sufiocated by the constant rolling over
which the torrent gave me. | did just
manage to get finger-hold in crack,
and to steady myself somewhat but the
water was very deep just here, and | could
not lift much more than my CHA above it,
whilst ioothold of any sort was out Of
tho question
Yet to remain where was much longer
was impossible. Could but have raised
myself some two feet | should have been
able to reach an overhanging bough of
one Of the thickly growing young ash
saplings, the roots of which projected from
the earthly top Of the rock yard or two
above.
Oh, how longed for giants arm, that
| might touch that bough Twice |
made futile effort to spring out of the
water at it, but only exhausted myself,
and had the greatest difficulty in retaining
my support.
Was | sinking and losing consciousness ?
and is this to be the end, thought, with
that music still in my ears? And, 10
what vision is that which | behold ?
Surel y an angels face looking down from
amidst the leafy roof above me Yes; my
life must be passing away in a dream of
beautiful sights and sounds For mo-
ment or two more such was the vague con
clusion floating through my dazed mind,
nor was it at once dispelled by perfectly
audible and silvery voice saying:
Try to reach it now; | think you can;
quick, try r
This can be no illusion this is no phan-
tom born of a drowning mans fancy; this
is n sweet reality; and in that bending
branch, now steadily descending to within
my grip, | see my life restored to me and
my hopes renewed.
have the delicate end of the bough in
my hand; yes, automatically | have seized
it, and already it helps to lift me higher
out of the water.
BE very cautious" says the voice
once more. Take great care, or it will
snap. There, wait SO, whilst | pull this
strong one down, and that will hold your
weight better; now, So" and in another
minute | have grasped this strong one; |
manage to raise myself by it little, and
to put the tips of my toes into the fissure
of the rock by which l had so long held
with the tips of my fingers.
Then soft, firm hand is held out to
me, and taking it finally, by one supreme
effort, pull myself well up among the un-
derwood aud twisted roots at the top of
the cliff.
Too exhausted to speak or think, l
threw myself down upon the steep hill
side among the long grass and ferns be-
tween the trees. Then / think | did
really lose consciousness for a while, for
do not remember seeing the pretty, grace
ful girl who had saved my life until |
found her kneeliug at my side, endeavor-
ing to raise my head as she wiped the
streaming water from my forehead and
hair.
Wait here" she said, ''and | will run
to the inn for help; l won't be long.
There, lean against that tree trunk"
Pray, stop" | stammered, feebly; 81
shall soon be all right am really very
much obliged to you"
"Oh, never mind that" she answered,
brightly; "if you eau walk, so much the
better. Get up, and come along at once;
you must get your wet clothes off,
| rose and shook myself, feeling very
bewildered, sick and scared.
Here-up this way she cried. al
think We can get through the wood this
way; follow me.
had scarcely started after her, as with
a firm, light step she sprang up the slope
among the trees, when ! heard from the
top cry Of;
"Hillo-o Lucy, hillo-ol where are
you 2"
Here | am, she cried; ''all right.
Come down, papa, and give this gentle.
man hand. | have just helped him out
of the water--he was nearly drowned I"
What2 Eth, my dear? What are
you talking about? Gentleman out Of
the water-nearly drowned ?" said CHEEKY
voice; and looking up, saw two or three
figures coming against the sky over She
crest of the hill Then there was a little
hurried talk as they met my preseryer,
aud presently my middle-aged friend, who
had spoken to me about the weather NJ
the inn the day before had vice-like hold
upon my arm, and was lending me very
material assistance in my ascent.
What a fortunate thing Only 70
think, he said, ''of Lucy happening to