Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-06-23

ming glide through the air, without
touching the road.
1t was lucky that l had practiced so
much coasting down this very road, and
that l knew every inch of it so thorough
ly. Going at that amazing speed, lean
ing far back in the saddle, the steering
was somewhat novel and peculiar. The
speed gave the wheel such an obstinate
disposition to keep ON a straight line
that | could not have turned a short
curve if had tried. A very little too
much turning of the steering-bar would
have wrenched it instantly from my
hands, and smashed the wheels to frag-
ments. But my practice had taught me
the necessity of making my curves long
and easy when cOasting at great speed;
and by instinct my grasp upon the
steering-bar was that of desperation,
both my arms being kept as firm, yet
flexible, as spring steel.
When the accident happened, was
just entering dark curve in the shadow
of the mountain. The wall on my right
appeared dark, almost invisible
brown, while the chasm on my left was
of an inky blackness. AS l rounded the
hollow of the curve, could see the
moonlight shining far ahead on the
point OF the elbow which must turn
where the road was channeled into the
wall. AS i approached it l had the
sense and nerve to run on the outer side
of the road, close to the edge of the
canyon, thus giving myself as broad a
turn as possible. / found by the track
of the wheel afterwards that at the
sharpest turn / had actually ridden
within three inches of the extreme edge
for several rods, where, if | had been
going at less fearful speed, the wheel
would certainly have slipped over the
edge, and carried me down fall of one
thousand feet.
Safely past this, the worst point, the
remaining curves were easy. Thus far
there had been no time to think. My
actions were more instructive than rea-
soning. My mind was wild, confused
whirl of sensations and fears.
But now, as l shot down the last steep
incline, suddenly l experienced terri
BILE mental shock. 1t was caused by
hearing the tinkle of bell far below,
and seeing the spark of lantern such
as the mine teamsters carry in front of
their wagons. There was team, per-
haps a train of teams, coming up the
road! In few seconds l should be
upon them. The shock made me think,
and that clearly. If the teamster was
beside this team. he would be
on the inside, next to the mountain
wall, and the team would be in the
middle of the road. If he was riding,
he team would be kept near the mount
Tin wall, and safe distance from the
outer edge of the track. Either way
ny best chance was to pass on the out
tide. AS approached, therefore, ran
,lose to the outside edge of the track,
md flew by in safety, hearing the team
'ter shout as l did so. Here it was
lucky that was going at such great
speed, for the teamster saw the red
light of my lantern when l was nearly
/ mile distant, and, recognizing it, he
started his team toward the outer edge
If the road, so as to give me the safest
passage on the inside; but L was upon
md past him before the team could be
lriven over, otherwise l should have
surely ran into them.
And now the wheel ran along the
evel at the bottom of the mountain;
till my frightful velocity did not per-
,eptibly diminish. ran out past the
works, and into and along the village
street. Luckily the street was covered
,hinly with sand-not enough to make
t bad riding, but sufficient to gradually
stop coasting wheel. My speed slack
ened perceptibly. Still l ran nearly
through the village, and then managed
% turn broad corner and run up the
slope of side street, which finally
checked my speed so that ventured to
lrop my feet cautiously and take the
pedals, after touching them as they
came up for number of revolutions, to
help to check the machine.
And so finally stopped and leaped
10 the ground exactly in front of DR..
Cameron's house.
On mounting at the mine-house l
had looked at my watch after a habit l
had; and now, from the same habit. l
looked at it again. | was not aston
shed to find that l had made the nine
miles from the mine to the doctors in
a few seconds less than thirteen min
utes. Allowing six and a quarter for
the first two miles before the brake
gave way, and / must have made the
last seven miles in less than six and
minutes. firmly believe
that | covered seven miles in less than
six and q half minutes, incredible as