The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-01

with closed eyes and bent head, he remained
absorbed in the recollection Of that strange min
ute of devoutness.
II stood there" he said at last, sfor what now
seems space of hours, perpaps half minute
in reality. Then all the chances still to be run
crowded upon me. To turn around had been an
attempt almost desperate before, and certainly.
most certainly, the ledge was no wider where /
now stood Was the rope within reach2 /
feared not Would it sway toward me. could
hope for that
But could grasp it should be savedf Would
it not yield to my hand-comlng slowly down as
pulled, unrolling from a coil above trailing
over the ground at the top. running fast as its
end approached the edge, falling suddenly at
last7 Or was it fastened to the accustomed
stakef Was any comrade near who would summon
aid at my signal? If not and l grasped it. and
If it held, how long should swing in the wind
that now bore the freshness and tremors Of an
imminent gaea
Now again fear took hold on me, and, as a
desperate man, prepared to turn my face once
more to the vast expanse Of water and nothing
beyond that awful cliff. Closing my eyes, ]
writhed, with know not what motions, easily
around till again my back pressed against the
precipice That was a restful sensation. And
now for the decision of my fate! looked at the
rope. Not for moment could I fancy it within
my reach. Its swayings were not. as had ex-
pected, even slightly inward but wnen falling
back against the wind it swung outward as
tuOuRu the air were 6uuylHg lrOm TIE Wall.
Nov eazed down steadily. Would a leap
be certain death2 The water was Of immense
depth below. But what chance of striking it
feet or head frstl What chance of preserving
consciousness in the DESCENT No, the leap
would be death; that, at least, was clear.
'sAgain turned to the rope l was now per-
fectly desperate, but steady, nerved beyond the
best moments of my life, good for an effort sur
passing the human. Still the rope swayed as
before, and its motion was very regular | saw
by strong leap.
"But could grasp ito What use if it were
not firmly secured above! But all time for hest
| tation had gone by. / knew too well that
strength was mine but for moment and that
in the next reaction of weakness I should drop
from the wall like dead fly. Rracing myself,
/ watched the rope steadily for one round, and
as it returned against the wind. jumped straight
out over the heaying Atlantic.
by Gods aid | reached, touched clutched
held the strong line. And it held! Not abso
lutely. Once, twice and again it gave, gave with
jerks that tried my arms. ] knew these indicat
ed but tightening Then it held firm, and
swung turning in the air, secure above the
waves that beat below.
ITO slide down and place my feet in the loor
was the inst motive work Of moment. Fortu
nately 1t was of dimensions to admit my body
barely. I slipped it over my thighs up to my
arm-pits just as the dreaded reaction of weak
ness came. Then lost consciousness.
when awakened my dear mothers face was
beside my pillow, and she told me that I had
been tossing for q fortnight in brain fever. Many
weeks | lay there, and when / got strong found
that had left my nerve on that awful cliff side
Never since have I been able to look from a
height see any other human being Oh one
without shuddering.
$50 now you know the story, Mr. Frazer
and have had your last walk on the factory
wall"
He spoke truer than he knew His story has
given such horrible nightmares ever since
that | could no more walk on the high brick
work than along that narrow ledge In distant
Cornwall