Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-11-12

TO make the descent. Portal now began
his preparations. Ha drove two iron
bars into the ground, then fastened on
a cross. bar, which held pulley. Next
We adjusted the rope to its groove.
Nov we must find good Hat piece
of wood for the seat. You run to that
cottage, and find something that will
do"
obeyed, though the cottage was
good way off. and not a matter OF Just
running" My search was, however,
successful; the piece of wood was Sc
curely fastened to the rope. and now
ali appeared ready for the descent.
(which of us is going tirst?" said
Portal. Perhaps it had better be
YOU, as I can best manage the letting
down. You must take your pole to
help you, and see, here is my Nor
wegian knife, as sharp as sword. 1t
may be useful to cut footing, if
wanted"
"All right! I know all about that, "
said, carelessly, not quite liking all
his instructions.
I don't mind owning it now-though
not for the world would have done so
them felt anything but cheerful. My
nerves, usually strong, now felt little
unstrung. Perhaps the consciousness
of my disobedience was the cause; any.
how, I delayed little before plunging
into the depth below. -.
And now the moment was come; the
cross-bar WAS pushed Just over the
edge OF the cliff. I grasped the rope,
and sat myself down on the piece of
wood on which my life depended.
Halo! wait minute" cried Por-
tai, for I was still clinging to firm
ground. 81 ara afraid one fellow can't
hold this windlass alone. Luckily,
there is jim CaneeD, he'll do to hold. "
Jim was called, and was only too de.
lighted to help in the adventure. Ger
tainly, I must say I felt safer when
there were two at the rope. as they be-
gan to lower the windlass. Slowly and
st eadily was let down, and found my
self hanging between sky and sea. l
must here mention that two strings had
been tied above and thrown over the
rock. If pulled the one, was to be
lowered; the other was signal for
drawing me up.
Fathom after fathom the rope ran out
till at last l regained my strength of
nerve, and began to feel proud of my
adventure, promising myself to make
Portal try the experiment when came
up again to the surface.
I now used nay eyes to look out for
the gulls' nests. Soon l gave the sig
4 nal to stop letting out the rope, and
planting my pole we'll among the cram
MES, I found what wanted.
Such nests and how the birds
screamed and futtered at the unex-
pected visitor, whilst laughed aloud
Suddenly, just above my head, espied
a lovely nest. I pulled my string, and
I was wound up little.
Again secured footing, but on
such narrow ledge that had great
difficulty in clinging to it. Only,one
of my handle was diseBgsged. With
the other clutched the rope.
At this moment, I remembered my
large knife. Idrew it out, and scraped
at the rock, trying to scoop cut little
hole, but could not succeed, and get
ting impatient, I raised my hand above
my head, meaning to bring down the
Norwegian knife with increased power
on the rock, when I struck the long,
sharp blade against the rope by which
was suspended, and I saw in moment
that I had cut it,-yes, cut it all but a
single strand of its thickness.
My mind, happily, did not lose its
power OF thought. pulled Justify at
the signal string; but then I noticed
and the sight turned me sick-that the
whole rope was beginning to untwist
In moment or two it broke.
frantically chung to the other half OF
the rope. The men above knew that
something was wrong, and pulled me
mp as rapidly as their strength would
allow.
| 1t was race for life!
Oh, those moments of anxiety! can
never describe them, but shall re.
member them to my dying day.
All my life seemed suddenly spread
ont before me. This days disobedi-
ence especially presented itself in it's
true colors.
But nearer and nearer came the edge
Of the cliff. Weaker and weaker grew
my hold on the rope. for fear had
weakened me. Just as il seemed as if
I could hold on no longer, felt myself
seized in no gentle manner by four
strong arms, and literally dragged on
to solid earth.
After this I remember nothing but
Just saying or thinking, "Thank God!'
was unconscious for hours, and
this was followed by q slight brain
fever. But at last I recovered, and
we'll do I remember the day when
first recognized my father, and war
able to make full confession of my
disobedience.-Youth's Campanion.
| Tim Muoh Pou h.,