Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-11-12
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When I WAS boy lived in the Isle
q Man, an island chiefly known to
strangers as being the home of tailless
eats.
Our house stood half mile from the
shore, whose bold, steep cliffs we're my
Noyish delight, and on which I per.
formed many wonderful fests of climb
lR. But there was o certain rocky
promontory, called the "Devil's
Jump" land il he ever did leap from
Che top Of the high, steep rock, it must
have been straight into the boiling sea
beneath), and on this rock was strict.
b forbidden to climb.
In rough weather, or even at high
hide, the great waves dashed up the
nee Of the precipice. frightening the
90 gulls from their nests and sending
IAem screaming inland, in their usual
nelancholy fashion.
/ pity the boy who does not know the
pleasure of hunting for sea gulls' eggs.
il is o pleasure rendered doubly de-
kehtful because of q certain spice OF
danger which necessarily favors any
ezpedilion.on slippery rocks. My father
vas glad to zee me early develop a
tnste for climbing, but forbade strictly
sny attempt upon the Devils Jump. :"
Remember" he said, "you must
never 60 there unless you have man
With you, for the gulls' eggs can only
- got ut by the help Of ropes"
OF course / assented, yet hoping to
( nv il as soon a I could persuade some
eood climber to accompany me.
Time passed and no opportunity
Earned up. almost forgot that there
vas rock ! might not explore, till one
oay during my Easter holidays q
seAoolfellow arrived to spend q week
with me.
Hugh Portal was the hero of our
Hank College. He was first rate ut
cricket, and had won several prizes at
eur athletic sports. Moreover, he was
usually at the top of his class, 90 that
Ne envied and admired him alter
nAtely.
I was not . little pleased, therefore,
70 show off my climbing powers to
Portal, and had the secret satisfaction
q seeing was moro expert at rock
climbing than he. However, he would
not be beaten, and from sheer determ-
inAtion soon became an accomplished
climber.
One day, towards the close of his
visit, my father was Obliged to drive on
business across the island to Douglass,
and before starting he told rs to keep
out Of mischief and TO try and enjoy
ourselves in his absence.
81 cay, Christian" said Portal,
ssve'll have regular long day on the
rocks and get no end Of gulls' eggs"
IAN right; let's 60 and Get some
grub, ri cried, rushing off to the
housekeeper's room, where packed a
small basket full good things; on my
return Portal was nowhere to be seen,
bat soon re-appered carrying some iron
stakes and coil OF rope.
Whatever 10 that for 2" I cried.
You'll zee presently; come along. T"
But what Was my surprise when We
reached the cliffs TO see my friend turn
Ais face towards the DEVILS Jump. "
/" Portal, whore are you going?"
"Why, to explore yonder rock, of
eourse. We've done all the others
worth doing; besides, the SEQ il like q
mill-pond. There can't be any danger
to-day"
Z Indeed, we mustn't 90. Father
said ever % long ego / wasn't to 10
unless I had regular climber with
Me-
aWell, and 80 you have. I beat you
yesterday. ! am sure there can't be
any ono about here that could do better;
] believe you are fnnky, Christian. y
I turned crimson, for this accusation
was hard 10 bear. A week ago I had
fancied that few could beat me.
You've no right to ssy that;' then
feeling suddenly tempted, and yielding
10 the temptation, knowing all the time
That I was doing wrong, I added, " but
of course you are first rate at climbing.
though I don't believe you can beat
ne. Father. I suppose, only meant to
forbid my coming here when I was
younger and couldn't climb 80 we'll as
] can now. But hew are We to manage
TO get down, or up again, either p
We were nearing the top OF the cliff,
and We could zee hundreds Of gulls
wheeling round their stronghold.
/" Why, don't you see have brought
al ws want. ] know all about it be-
cauae read il in book. Here. hold
this. You rec, I have been planning
this for some time, bat didn't tell You
for fear Of . Aare-up."
V ! laughed little. but I felt quite un-
eagy whilst 10 settled on good place
r.