The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1883-08-10

TIME We hau reached the extreme end
u onrexpedition. and were on the point
81 retrncing our steps when one n the
strangers expressed desire % round a
promontory short distance ahead, 50
~ % inspect the linz Of coast lust be-
yond; the proposal was agreed to: and
we all started along the cliif. which nj
this place was 81 lesser altitude than
q some points We had previously
passed, though still il was about fifty
Or sixty feet above the level Of the sea.
which AZ the time was At full flow.
and washed against the rocky wall be-
low ~. To round the promonfory We
found Il was necessary 10 descend lii
ile way. and then proceed along narrow
ledge Of projecting rock. 50 very narrow
In some parts that II would have been
impossible for any one 70 have attempt
Cd the passage unless he had remark
ably good and steady head
We were all experienced climbers. so
the risk was disrcgarded; and the two
geologists and my uncle had just turned
round . rather sharp angle. and was
closely following. when the rock on
which | trod suddenly gave way under
my feet. and after abricf but Intellectual
struggle slipped down. with my face
towards the sea. Uttrring cry. in
stinctiyely flung my hands upwards;
one Of them IN some marvellous manner
caught a projecting portion 81 the ledge:
the other was strongly graspcd BY my
uncle, who. being mercifully close 10 me-.
turned a. nv shout. and instantly seized
hold Of my extended hand. For two or
three minutes, which seemed an eter-
nifty 70 as both, my brave relative. who.
though an elderly, was vdly powerful
man, held me suspended in this fright
full manner. while he cndeayored 10
take In the situation and decide on a
plan Of action. Our horriiied friends
were powcrless 10 help. Is they could
not possibly get near me. on account Of
the narrowness Of the ledge. which
afforded even my uncle most preca-
rions footing. and rendered useless any
attempt 70 raise me from my dreadful
position. 1 was young. and life was
very sweet 10 me; Tut felt that my last
moment was At hand. Another second
or two must end the matter; 81 severe d
strain could no longer be endured: our
hands must loosen their hold; and l
must inevitably be dashed 10 pieces on
the broken rocks had observed al the
foot a the precipice.
There was an instant Of breathlcss ST.
lence. during which time my uncle had
clearly realized the critical nature u the
situstion. and decided on plan Of nc
ton. liz looked over. and saw that
just below the spot where I was sus-
pended there was a rugged projection
q rock. extending fully six feet beyond
the perpendicular Of the point where
hung. II | fell On this my fate WAS
sealed; no power could save me from
death. Beyond this rock was water,
possibly Of depth sufficient % break
the force Of fall, II only that water
could b. reached; but in this lay All the
difficulty. Ny uncle was good rs well
~ q brave man; h. loved me as the son
81 Q dead sister, and he was willing 20
dare everything 70 save me; but he did
not undervalue the nature of the awful
risk he was undertaking on my behalf.
md he knew that he was going 70 take
bis own life in his hands as well as mine.
Breathing : prayer for Divine profec-
ion. he said quietly but firmly: Tom;
here IS but one way for II. I'll save
Eou. or we will both perish together
When Isay the word. fake your hand
rom the rock Now
A my uncle loudly said " Noww !
relaxed my hold % the rock; and II the
same instant my uncle made an i'm
nensc effort and sprang horizontally
MO the mir. carrying me with him and
retaining his hold Of my hand As we
rushed violently down, turning over in |
,ur hcadlong descent. / can not pre-
end to say that l ever very distinctly |
'ecollcctcd my sensations during those |
awful seconds, for II was nothing more. |
had my senses pretty clearly while
lung from the rock. and l can recall |
he gasping feeling which Experienced
y took my hand away; but beyond
hat, All is chaos. So great was the I
orce with which my uncle lea?ed, that /
lc completely cleared the projecting /
edge, and we fell into the sea. which I
vas deep enough 70 break our fall.
h0ugh the violence Of the shock I'M
oosed our grasp u each other. Half
tunned as we were. the cold water
probably acted as restorative. We |
we're bell, excellent swimmers. and 4
or two later we were brcasting \
he waves. fortunately not too bolster
Jus for our sorcly tried strength. We
osc about twenty yards apart, at some
title distance from the rocky ledge.
md rather nearer q ilattish rock which
cared is head from the pillows. For
his shelter we made; and too deep for
Iitcrancc were the feelings with which
yc took each Others hands and gazed
nto each Others eyes.
THANK Cod my boy nj last said
nv uncle. fervcntly.
n. DO. uncle: and you. too. Where
hould have been now. but for you."
y. Hush! Tom. Thank God, we're
9th safe. Il was an ugly jump. no
oubt u that
We both shuddcrcd as we gazed on
be prccipicc frowning above Us, on the
ID Of which we could see our two 50
ccently horror-stricken friends. wildly
,avinv fhcir hats in Il TRANSPORT Of ioy 4