Sharp County record., 1883-09-13

WarGeu. " ndu TAKEN SOlle SduIlN ICICS
and sherry with us, and enjoyed Or
lunch during an interval OF cessation
from our geological researches. BythiS
time we had reached the extreme end
of our expedition, and were on the point
of retracing our steps when one OF the
strangers expressed desire to round a
promontory a short distance ahead, so
as to inspect the line OF coast just be-
yond; the proposal was agreed to; and
we all started along the cliff, which at
this place was of a lesser altitude than
at some points we had previously
passed, though still it was about fifty
or sixty feet above the level of the sea,
which at the time was at full fOw
and washed against the rocky wall be-
low us. To round the promontory we
found it was necessary to descend a lit
tie way, and then proceed along narrow
ledge of projecting rock, so very narrow
in some parts that it would have been
impossible for any one to have attempt
ed the passage unless he had remark
ably good and steady head.
We were all experienced climbers, so
the risk was disregarded; and the two
geoogists and my uncle had just turned
round a rather sharp angle, and | was
closely following, when the rock on
which l trod suddenly gave way under
my feet, and after abrief but Intellectual
struggle l slipped down, with my face
towards the sea. Uttering a cry, in
stinctively flung my hands upwards;
one of them in some marvellous manner
caught a projecting portion of the ledge;
the other was strongly grasped by my
uncle, who, beng mercifully close to me,
turned at my shout, and instantly seized
hold of my extended hand. For two or
three minutes, which seemed an eter-
nifty to us both, my brave relative, who,
though an elderly, was very powerful
man, held me suspended in this fright
full manner, while he endeavored to
take in the situation and decide on a
plan of action. Our horriied friends
were powerlesS to help, as they could
not possibly get near me, on account OF
the narroWness of the ledge, which
afforded even nav uncle most preca-
riOus footing, and rendered useless any
attempt to raise me from my dreadful
position. | was young, and lie was
very sweet to me; but felt that my last
moment was at hand. Another second
or two must end the matter; so severe a
strain could no longer be endured; our
hands must loosen their hold; and l
must inevitably be dashed to pieces on
the broken rocks | had observed at the
foot of the precipice.
There was an instant OF breathlesS 81
lence, during which time my uncle had
clearly realized the critical nature ofthe
situation, and decided on plan of ac-
ton. He looked over, and saw that
Just below the spot where l 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 q fall, if only that water
could be reached; but in this lay all the
difficulty. My uncle was good as well
as brave man; he loved me as the son
of a dead sister, and he was willing to
dare everything to save me; but he did
not undervalue 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 as well as mine.
Breathing a prayer for Divine protec-
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 Isay the word, take your hand
from the rock-Now!"
AS my uncle loudly said "Now?' |
relaxed my hold of the rock; and at the
same instant my uncle made an I'M
mense 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
recollected my sensations during those
awful seconds, for it was nothing more.
L had my senses pretty clearly "llIle L
hung from the rock, and | can recall
the gasping feeling which l Experienced
as l took my hand away; but beyond
that, all is chaos. So great was the
force with which my uncle leaped, that
he completely cleared the projecting
ledge, and we fell into the sea, which
was deep enough to break our fall,
though the violence of the shock un-
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
moment 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 fattish rock which
reared its head from the billows For