St. Landry democrat., 1883-08-11
A LEAP FOR LIFE.

When | was young fellow, now
amany years ago, | frequently spent part
,of my vacations with an uncle, who
Lived in a beautiful part of Wales, and
whose house was only mile or two
from the coast-in that neighborhood,
very wild and precipitous, and remark
liable for the peculiar character Of the
strata of which many of the wave and
weather-beaten cliffs were composed.
My uncle was keen geologist, and had
imbued me with some of mis- own inter
eest in the subject; and many a long and
pleasant ramble we had together, armed
with our little hammers and specimen
cases; sometimes starting directly after
breakfast, and remaining absent till the
evening, either carrying our simple
luncheon with us, or adjourning for re-
freshment to some humble village hos
telry, when such happened to be within
!. easy reach.
These were pleasant days. I often
look back to them now, when am an
elderly gentleman, subject to govt and
rheumatism, and tied for most of the
week to dingy Office in the city. But
they were very nearly being brought to
an abrupt conclusion by an incident
that occurred during one of our more
distant excursions; and as the relation
sof this incident commentaries rare
instance of combined pluck, presence of
mind and heroic self-sacrifce, do not
think I need any further excuse for en-
tering upon the details connected with
it. Few people are ever likely to be
placed in a similar position; should,
however, such an occasion arise, let us
hope they may not be found wanting in
ability to follow so admirable an ex-
ample.
During one of my visits to my uncle,
he had at the same time as guests two
professional geologists of some emil
hence, who had heard of the special IA
4cilities the neighborhood afforded for
the pursuit of their favorite science, and
had had some correspondence with my
uncle on the subject, which resulted in
their receiving an invitation from my
hospitable relative to come to his house
and Judge of the matter for themselves.
This invitation was accepted, and the
geologists arrived; two very pleasant,
well-informed men, between whom and
my uncle very interesting and ami
mated conversation speedily ensued, in
which the terms granite debris"
s'boulder clay, y newer formations"
8. dip of the strata were freely ban
died about in a manner very edifying to
listen to, if not altogether Ineligible to
the majority of their hearers.
For the first day or two we contented
ourselves with showing the strangers
the features of scientific interest more
Immediately in the vicinity; and with
these they were greatly gratifed. But
my uncle was anxious that they should
inspect a district some miles off, pecul-
iarly rich in specimens, and which he
had himself visited several years be-
fore, but never since had been the
companion of his expeditions; therefore
1t was new to me as well as to our
guests. Everything was arranged for
our start; and we set off after an early
breakfast, driving the first portion of
the distance, and putting up our trap
at a arm-house, to await our return.
while we pursued the remainder of ouY
excursion on foot. TWAS an exquisite
day; and as we walked along the cliffs
here of very remarkable height and
magniicence we INDUCED in loud ex-
pressions of admiration at the beauty
of the scenery, the bold line of coast
stretching away for miles on each side,
the tremendous precipices descending
sheer to the blue waters that Tapped
their base; only here and there broken
by some Jagged and pointed rocks, that
threatened rapid destruction to any I'M
fortunate vessels which should be cast
upon them.
Our expedition was q great success.
Many rare specimens Of different fos-
sis were added to our collections, and
nv uncle was much gratiied that his
exertions for the entertainment of his