The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1878-07-18

determined to attempt it. As soon a
, the water covered the little island OF
! which I stood l would try to climb tha
slippery beam that arose from the sand
in which it was partly buried, at al
angle of about forty-iye degrees.
With the tide rose the wind; with the
wind came rain and fog. The moon
blurred and indistinct, shown family
for awhile, and then vanished alto
gether, although her diffused light made
everything darkly visible. Soon the
waves were dashing at my feet, the sand
pulp beneath. Now was my time to
make my last effort for little more
i life. But found that had overrated my
my own powers Icrawled feet up the
slippery timber, then fell back. Again
/ tried it, and again, butit was of no use
Strength does not come of eager desire
to be strong. All that I could do was
to clasp my arms around the beam and
stand upward, awaiting the coming Of
the waters.
The water rose, not gradually, but in
pulses. Smaller waves came and went
and left no change of level; but every
now and then some heavier, fiercer
pillows would come in with devouring
sweep, covering me with its spray and
foam, receding again, but at each reces-
sion leaving greater depth of swaying.
lifelike water. These attacks. like
buffets from the hand of some skilled
boxer, left me weaker and weaker at
every blow; and it was so treacherous,
too, the water. 1t would draw away
for a time, leaving me free almost to my
knees, and then, as if driven by sudden
impulse, it would gather itself up and
return in great seething swathe of
water that would swallow me up from
head to foot.
The end was fast coming now. had
ceased to feel any thing. Only dogged
determination to stick to life to the last
kept me clinging to my beam. But
what was that sound? A long and
/ piercing scream, a roar and rumble
and rattle; it was an engine. An
engine coming along the completed part
of the bridge, shrieking and screaming
and dashing out great watts of white
steam into the stormy air. The sound
gave me fresh life and vigor. Human
creatures were within reach, at all
events. If l could make them hear /
might yet be saved.
The engine came slowly along and I
heard the voice Of men shouting to one
another. Why, then, should they not
hear me? 1 tried, too, to shout, but my
voice stuck IN my throat. L couldn't
make a sound louder than Whisper
no, not with all the good will | had to
shout like an archangel.
The engine came SO near at last that
l could see the glow OF her hres through
the lnterstlcss OF the foorlng OF the
bridge, And now there were men stand
ing with lanterns at the very extremity
OF the prldge, anu stlil couio not make
them near.
fof an instant the giau thougnt str9cK
me that ! had been missed, and that
THESE men had come 10 LOOK ior me but
the next moment saw the tolly OF the
idea: Days might elapse De1ore my fate
was known. 1t was not even yet beyoEd
the time L had liked for reaching home.
No; the men were railway Workmen,
perhaps going TO nlghTs shl1t OF WORK
on the brldge, ana couldn make them
hear.
Suddenly heard sharp, quick bark,
and then growl as of anger or inquiry,
and | was conscious that there was a
dog with the men above. The dogs
faculties were keener than the mems;
perhaps it was possible | might make
him hear, so barked shrill, swapping
bark, with which l had often deceived
my own terrier, Jock. The dog ac-
knowledged the challenge and replied
furiously. Then l heard the voice of a
man shouting to the dog to be quiet,
but the dog barked still more furiously,
standing at the very edge of the plat
form, as though it would throw itself
over. Then some men came to the edge
of the platform, too, and then in my
extremity I gave cry-a wild, despair
ing cry. Then huge, hoarse wave
dashed over me.
If it had not been for the conscious,
ness that hel p was near l could not have
held on against the furious rush OF
water; but L did hold on, at least !
think 50; and when the waves receded,
a bright, dazzling light shone into my
eyes-a light from the bridge where
some one was holding what seemed to be
a portable sun, but which was actually
a piece of burning magnesium wire
Then everything disappeared in the
blacklist darkness.
Did you see anythingT cried
voice.
I'm not sure; thought saw some
thing move"
A couple of lamps from the engine
were now brought and placed at thu
edge OF the platform; they lit up thu
beams and rafters OF the bridge, but TIN
| light seemed lost in the dark waters
All! they would never see me! Ono,
more had strength to cry.
All! it's man down there" hear'
somebody shout.
a long plank was run over the gap IL
the bridge; then another; along the tw'
a portable windlass was quickl,,
wheeled, a bucket descended, in it
man with lantern.
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