The Brookhaven leader., 1883-08-09


the other was strongly grasped hy my
uncle, who, being mcrcfully close to me,
turned at my shout, and instantly seized
hold of my extended hand. For two OF
three minutes, which seemed an eter-
nifty TO us both, my brave relative, who.
though an elderly, was a very powerful
man, held me suspended in this fright
full manner, while he cndcavOrcd Ia
take in the situation and decide on a
plan of action. Our Mortified friends
were powcrless To help, as they could
not possibly Get near me, on account OF
the narrowneSs of the ledge, which
afforded even my uncle a most preca-
rious footing. and rendered useless any
attempt to raise me from my dreadful
position. / was young, and life was
very sweet To me; but felt that my last
moment was ut hand. Another second
or two must end the matter; 50 severe a
strain could no longer be endured; our
hands must loosen their hold; and |
must inevitably Ire dashed to pieces on
the broken rocks I had observed at the
foot of the precip,cc.
There was an Instant of brcathlcss ST
lence, during which time my uncle had
clearly realized the critical nature of the
situation, and decided on plan of ac-
ton. He looked over, and saw that
just below the SPOT where / was sus-
pended there was a rugged projection
of rock, extending fully six feet beyond
the perpendicular of the point where
hung If fell on this my fate was
sealed; no power could save me from
death. Beyond this rock was water.
possibly of depth sufficient to break
the force of fall, if only that water
could be reached; but in this lay all the
difficulty. My uncle was good as well
rs brave man; he loved me rs the son
of dead sister, and he was willing to
dare everything to save me; but he did
not undervaluc the nature of the awful
risk he was undertaking on my behalf,
and he knew that he was going to take
his own life in his hands rs we'll as mine.
Breathing n prayer for Divine protcc-
ton. he said quietly but firmly: Tom;
there is but one way for it. I'll save
YOU. or we will both perish together
When say the word, take Your hand
from the rock-Nown
As my uncle loudly said "Now" l
relaxed my hold Of the rock; and at the
same instant my uncle made an i'm
menSc effort and sprang horizontally
into the air, carrying me with him and
retaining his hold of my hand as We
rushed violently down, turning over in
our headlong descent. | can not pre-
tend to say that | ever very distinctly
regollected my sensations during those
awful seconds, for it was nothing more.
| had my senses pretty clearly while l
hung from the rock, and | can recall
the gaspng feeling which experienced
rs took my hand away; but beyond
that, all is chaos. So great was the
force with which my uncle leaped. that
he completely cle:red the projecting
ledge, and we fell into the sea, which
wa, deep enough to break our fall,
though the violence of the shock I'M
looSed our grasp Of each other. Half
stunned as we were, the cold water
probably acted as restorative. We
We're both excellent swimmers, and a
or two later we were breasting
the waves, fortunately not too bolster
Gus for our sorely tried strength. We
rose about twenty yards apart, at some
little distance from the rocky ledge,
and rather nearer flattish rock which
reared its head from the pillows. For
this shelter we made: and too deep for
IL terance were the feelings with which
we took each o hers hands and gazed
into each others eyes
"Thank God! my boy" at last said
my uncle, fcryently.
Il do, uncle; and YOU. too. Where
should | have been now, but for you!"
Hush, Tom. Thank God, we're
both safe. 1t was an ugly jump, no
doubt OF that
We both Shuddered as we gazed on
the prccipice frownng above us, on the
top Of Will h we could see our two so
recently horror-strickcn friends, wildly
waving their hats in a transport of JOY
at their discovery of us on the rock, APP
parently safe and sound.
a hearty cheer in reply assured them
Of our perfect safety; and then my uncle
shouted to them some directions as to
the course they were to pursue in en-
lcaYOrlng to procure assistance for our
rescue. Owing to the width of ledge
broken off where fell, their return by
the same route was impossible; and a
long and perilous walk had to be under
taken before they were themselves in
security, when they Immediately sought
out means of deliNerance for my uncle
aud myself.
But in the meantime better luck had
befallen us. The noise made by our
shouting had attracted the notice of
fisherman who lived in little cottage
under the cliffs, at a place where the
shore receded. and left bare a tiny
creek where small boat was moored.
He had clambered over the crag that
hid us from his sight; and as soon as he
spied the two figures standing on the
solitary rock our situation became APP
parent to him, and he lost no time in
launching his boat and coming to our
assistance. Truly thankful we were for
the timely aid. We were both soaked
10 the skin and shivering with cold, and
he rock was far too small for any at
tempt at exercise. a very short time
saw us in the coy interior of the fisher
mans cottage, where a bright little fire
was burning, very welcome to us in our
chilled condition; while his kindly
wife busted herself in preparations
for our comfort, and fansacked
ler humble stores for supply
Of dry garments, also highly acceptable.
Little remains to be told. When we
were quite rested and refreshed, and our
clothes were dry enough to be worn,
the fisherman conducted us to the top
IF the cliffs by circuitous little path,
which in some places unpleasantly re-