Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-05-01

fellows. we're radiating
from the main body IN different di-
to perform the duty of SEN
tincls.
One in particular was making for
the friendly clump of widespread
ing limbs, in hopes possible 70 par
TALLY escape the tsrst gusts Of wind
and rain which had begun to sweep
about the mountain.
Dropping my fowling- piece, and
bidding my noble dog to shift for
himself. l swung myself over the
precipice, clinging to the network
of vines, which shook and complain
ed beneath my feet,
The darkness had increased with
astonishing rapidity, and as l swung
over that rayless void l found it i'm
possible to pierce the gloom. l
heard the short, sharp howl of my
dog as he iarted off in search of me;
then, amid the rush of the squall,
came the confused shouts of men,
a staggling shot or two mingled
with the crash of the heavy artillery
rolling in the vast eXpanse above
me.
Depending principally upon the
strength and endurance of my arms,
carefully and cautiously felt my
way along the verge of the preci-
pice, working in the direction of the
gully, which, 1nce gained, promised
to afford me the means of escape
from the dangers which encompass
ed me.
Broad sheets of lightning lit up
with dazzling distinctness the fear
full scene, bringing out every uudu
lation Of the rocks, every crev1ce
and blade Of grass, anu once, when
l had found a slight support for my
feet, and was giving my aching arms
a rest, 1 glanced above amid the yell
low glare of the lightning and be-
held the fierce, dark-whiskered face
of a Mexican peering over the brink
his eyes apparently fastened upon
Inc as 1 hung suspended and flatten-
ed against the cliff but a few feet
below him, while the electricity
twisted and writh' c, like tongues
of internal serpents, around the
muzzle of his carbine.
1t was a trying moment, my
friend, a situation we'll calculated to
inspire feeling of terror in the
boldest. But whether it was rain
which was falling fin torrents, and
furiously before the gale,
or the glare of the lightning, which
prevented the lancer from discover.
ing me, ] am unable to say. At all
events escaped his notice, the shot
did not come, and, watching my
chance in the lulls of the tempest, L
continued my perilous course.
1t seemed as if the floodgates Of
heaven had been opened, and the
scourglng wind sweeping with ter
rife violence around the mountain,
every inch of the way
which I gained with the utmost diff
fculty, OftentimeS threatening to
tear me bodily from the oscillating
ladder which had served me so well.
l had but little strength to spare
when l at last found myself croucn-
ing on the muddy bottom of the old
gorge.
Tbs earth yielded beneath my feet,
sand and pebbles swirled by, and
rising above the crash Of the ele-
nents, L heard the increasing roar
Of some unknown torrent, as 1T
swelled and gathered force for above
me.
Nerved on by the strength of de-
spair, l rushed down the steep de-
clivity, reckless as to where my feet
might wander. Completely blinded
between the mingled glare of the
lightning and the intense darkness
that followed each fash, stumbled
on, feeling that every moment my
steps were becoming unsteadiel.
The water was already up to my
knees, and rushing by with force
that made me grip desperately to
whatever projection I could find
along the side of the ravine.
The inexorable water rose yet fas-
ter, and the anger Of the tempest
grew wilder still. My strength and
even faculties were failing fast, my
feet were lifted from beneath Inc,
and quicker than thought WAS
rushing helplessly along, enveloped
amid the spray and foam Of that
maddening wbirl.
l think must have lost myself
for moment, but awakened amid
the darkness and roaring waters,
nearly strangled to death. Another
instant and 1 was whirled heavily
against some yielding object. /
rallied my strength for a final eff
fort. The next fash revealed the
wreck of tree, with the roots still
oli,oi -