Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-09-06

out, at last, we went into the cave and
sat on the sand-strewn floor, telling
stories and talking of dragons and fairies,
until drop of rain fell through the cleft
in the roof. George sprang up.
"We must go home, Allie |" he cried.
What If we were to be caught in
showerl"
Just as he was speaking, a peal OF
thunder crashed and doomed right above
us, and chung to the boy, sobbing for
very terror. -
80 Georgiel" I cried, "Don't 90 out.
we'll be killed. Oh, what shall we doP"
But Geolgie only laughed blithely,
saying, "No, we won't go if you don't
want to. Let's play it's concert and
the thunder's drum. It will be over
in a minute" and he began to whistle
4" Yankee Doodle" in which perform
ance 1 vainly endeavored to join. But
as time went on, and the storm became
more violent, we were both frightened,
and climbing to ledge about half way
up the wall, sat silent, clinging to each
other, and crying little as the light
ming flashed more and more wildly.
Yet, even in his own terror, George was
careful for me, and tried to cheer me and
raise my heart. Dear little friend, am
grateful for it nowl
As last, leaning forward, I saw that
the water was creeping into the cave
and covering the floor with shallow,
foaming waves. Then, indeed, we were
frightened. What if the rising tide had
covered the rocks outside? We should
have to stay all night in that lonely
place; for, though the tide went down
before midnight, the way was long and
difficult, and we could not return in the
darkness.
"Hurry, Allie p cried George, scram
bling down the side of the cave. "We
can wade, may be-"
l followed him, and we crept out
upon the beach. The water had risen
breast high already, and J was nearly
thrown down by the force with which it
met me.
"Leau on me, Allie, said Georgia,
throwing his arm about me and strug-
CLING onward ''We must get to the
rocks as soon as we can.
1t was with great difficulty that we
passed over the narrow strip of sand
below the high cliffs. clung wildly to
George, trying in vain to keep
a firm footing on the treacherous sand,
that seemed slipping from beneath my
feet at every step.
The water had reached my neck. !
cried out with terror as 1 felt myself
borne from my feet. But George kept
hold of me, and bracing ourselves
against the first low rock, we waited the
coming of the great green wave that
rolled surging toward us. raising it's
whitening crest high over our heads. 1t
broke directly above us, and for mo-
ment we stood dizzy with the shock, and
half blinded by the dashing salt spray
Then we ran on as swiftly as was posi-
BILE in the impeding water. Fortunately
for us, the next wave broke before it
reached us, for in the rapidly rising
tide we could not have resisted it.
We were thoroughly exhausted when,
after few more struggles, we at last
climbed the first cliff and sat onssthe top,
resting and looking about MS for q
means of escape. 1t was impossible for
us to scale the precipice that stretched
along the beach. We must keep to the
lower crags at it's foot for a mile before
we could reach firm land. This, in the
gathering twilight, was difficult and
dangerous thing to attempt. Yet there
was no other way of escape. We could
not return to the cave. I shuddered as
looked at the foaming waves that rolled
between us and it.
"What shall we do, Georgie?" cried.
4" can't be droWnedl"
"Hush, Allie" answered George,
bravely; "we must go right on, OF
course. This place will be covered soon.
Take off your shoes. You can climb
easier. There now take hold of my
hand. I'll Jump over to that rock and
help you to come on, tool"
Well was it for me that George was
a strong, agile boy, head and shoulders
taller than [. I needed all his help in
the homeward journey. 1 tremble even
yet as I think of the perils of the hall
mile that we traversed before darkness
fell. The rough rocks tore our hands
and feet as we clambered painfully over
them. They were slippery with sea-
weed and wet with the waves that from
time to time rolled across them. More
than once I slipped and would have
fallen into the raging water below,
but for Georgie's sustaining arm.
Looking back now to that dark evening
Georgies bravery and presence of mind
seem wonderful to me. He spoke little,
only now and then directing me where
to place my feet, but his strong, boyish
hand held mine in firm grasp, and
his clear eyes saw just when to seize the
opportunity, given by a receding wave,
to spring from one rock to another.
"Georgie, shall we ever reach home p
sighed at last as we gained the end OF
a spur of rock over which we had been
walking. George made no answer, and
l turned, in surprise, to look at him.
His face was very white, and his great
eyes were staring out into the twilight
with such frightened gaze that look.
ed about me with sudden increase OF
terror. l had thought the worst of the
way over, and in the gathering darkness
had hardly noticed where we were going
following George with perfect trust in
his Judgment. Now suddenly saw that
we could proceed no farther. We stood
as | have said, on q long ridge of rock
Before us, at our very feet, was the
wildlv surging water, tearing at the rocks
as if to wrest them from their founda
tion. Beyond, we could see the
strong cliffs again, but far out O.
reach. Behind were only the narrow
rocks over which he had come; and OF
either side the cruel sea cut us off from
all hope of gaining the land. I sank OF
J the slippery sea-weed, in an agony O
terror, sobbing out my mothers name
George sat down beside me. "Don'
!. cry, Allie" he said. in trembling
voice. "Please don't We may b.