The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-03-09

partners had concluded to "turn in" at
the cabin of our neighbor. The moment
thought this, 1t seemed to me almost
certain that such was the case. My es.
cape, now began TO think, rested on
myself. 1 thought there might be before
me a pole across the shaft strong
enough to bear my weight. Slowly l
began raising my right arm, in order to
feel for some support; but q startling
swapping of twigs, when this extra
weight was thrown upon my left arm,
causing me quickly to desist.
Great heaVensP l groaned, as | set
| tied back into my former position, show
long is this to lastW
just at this moment I heard the sound
| of voices. This time there was no mis-
take about it. heard the loud, ringing
laugh OF my jovial partner Tom, and
heard card-loVIng Bob say something
about game they had been playing al
| the "other cabin"
AS they came nearer, l heard him
say:
81 wonder II Dan has got back from
townp
They spoke in their ordinary tone OF
voice, and this gave me great JOY, as
knew l could make them hear without
shouting too loudly. heard them AZ
the door, scraping the snow away WIN
| their feet, and knew that now was the
time to call; Tor, once had they entered,
| they nj ghL not hear me.
"TomP cried, "TomP
There was no answer, and my heart
| felt cold within me.
| "TOmp l again cried.
This time, to my great joy, both of the
| boys in a breath sung out, "HolloV
| "Toml' L cried again, in as loud a
tone OF voice as L dare USE: "rom, come
helep
why, that's Dan.I What can be the
masterp
And both came as fast as their legs
would carry Them down to near where
was hanging.
| "Don't come too nearp l cried. "For
heavens sake doVG come too nearl
nave fallen through the brush over Mi s
snatt; and i's just ready to break, and
| let me down. Get Il rope quIck-the
Windlass rope, you know"
Tom ran 10 me cabin, and in less than
minute-thoughi it seemed an hour to
me-Was back with the rope. Both were
running to tue shalt with u rope, when
stopped them.
| "Stop right where you are, boysl Now
listen, or you will xiii me. D0n'L come
near the brush about the SHAFT, or you
viii break IL, anu let me down. Take
| hold OF the rope about twenty ieet apart
and walk 50 as to bring it across the
shaft, SO that can reach it,"
| They did as l directed, and the rope
was soon against my lace. / began
slowly to lit my riguL nand TO clutch 1t,
| but a cracking OF Inc brush on which 4
hung suspended startled me 80 much
thai l mad not the courage to try and
..f L.
sudden plunge for it, but feared l might
lalI TO eaten 1t, wnen would most GER
talny break through, and lau 10 the
bottom OF the shalt.
"M nat Is the matter?" asked Bob.
"Can'L you get mold Of The roper
"No," replied. Il shall break through
if even lit one finger"
"rske Io.d of the rope with your
teethp CRIED Tom.
TnIs was Lne very idea.
"Hold The rope "a little lower" SAID
/, and will try. Lower yet. There
mold on"
"have you got it,'' asked Tom.
"Y es," answered, rs well as could.
"NOW Lry 1t with your hands" cried
BOB.
As quickly as 1 could use my ffened
right arm, L made Il cluLcn at Lne rope,
ana, moeC Iucklly for my self, got huld oi
1t. Had III. ssed it, l should lave been
precIpitated TO the bottom Uf the shall;
for, as cru .ched the rope, the whole
rotten piIe OF bougns brohe loose, and
dropped into the uark pit below.
Alter being dragged some distance
from the black and yaWnlng mouth OF
the shaft, siill held the rope Win both
teeth anu hands, aud couId hardly be
persuaded that was out OF da ger. i
was 50 completely exhausted, thar was
unable 10 ak 10 The cLDiu without LAe
assis lance oil both my partne. s; and 1T
vas some weeks before my strained
shoulders WeIe Tree from pain.
There may be more Trying and peril
Gus positions than that above describe d /;
bui, IL there are, l beg to be excused
from trying them.