Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-03

ony. A whir and wind Of sudden wings
made me conscious of outward things
again. Then a mad eagerness to climb
swept away other feeling. and my hands
attempted in vain TO clutch the rock. Not
daring to cast my head backward, ldrew
it tOrtOise-like between my raised Shout
ders and chin against the preciplce, and
gazed upward with straining of vision
from under my eyebrows.
Far above the dead wall stretched.
Sidewise glances gave me glimpses OF the
projecting summit coping. There was no
escape IN that direction. But the dis
traction of scanning the cltt-side had
given my strained nerves some relief; to
my memory again returned the promise
OF the Almighty and the consciousness Of
His regard. Once more my muscles be-
came tifm-strung.
"A cautious sJep sidewise made me
know how much | had gained in ease
and security of motion by the change OF
front. l made progress that seemed al
most rapid tor some rods, and even had
eXultatlon in my quick approach to the
rope. Hence came freedom 10 think how
should act on reaching it, and speculation
as to how soon my comrades would haul
me up.
Then the idea rushed through me that
they mi ghteven yet draw it away too soon;
bAhAb NnAAN dlAAlOot III lily GiAbCu II mig III
rise from my hands. Instantly all the
terrors of my position returned with ten
fold force; an outward thrust of the preci-
pice seemed To grow distinct, my trem-
bing hands ted me that it moved bodily
toward me, the descent behind me took
an unspeakable remOteness, and from the
utmost depth of that sheer air seemed tC
ascend steadily deadly and a chilling
wind. But think l did not stop for an
instant. Instead a delirium to move tas-
ter possessed me, and with quick, side
long steps-my following foot striking
hard against that befOre-sometimes on
the point of stumbling. stretched out like
the cruclhed, pressed in mortal terror
along.
Every possible accident and delay was
presented tony excited brain. w hat ifthe
ledge should narrow suddenly TO nOthingS
Now believed that my heels We're I'M
supported in air, and | moved along on
tip-tOe. Now | was convinced that the
narrow pathway slOped outward that
his slope had become so distinct, so in
creasingly distinct, that | might at any
moment slip of into the void. But dom
mating every consideration OF possible
disaster, was still that of the need for
speed, and distinct amid all other terrOrs
was that sensation of the dead wall ever
silently and ineXorably pressing me out
ward.
my mouth and throat were chOked
with dryness, my cOnYulsiye lips parched
and aid; much l longed to press them
against the cold, moist stone. But never
stopped. Faster, faster. more wildly /
stepped-in delirium l pushed along.
Then suddenly before my staring eyes
was a well-remembered edge Of messy
stone, and | knew that the rope should be
directly behind me. Was it?
Il glanced over my left shoulder. The
rope was not to be seenl Wildly | looked
over the Other-nO rope! Almighty God
and has Thou deserted me?
''But what! Yes, it moves it sways in
sight! il disappears return again ~
view! There was the rope directly at my
back, swinging in the now strong breeze
with a motion that had carried it away
from my first hurried glances. With the
relief tears pressed to my eyes and-face
bowed to the pTecipice, almost tOrgeUtul
for little time of the hungry air beneath
I offered deep thanks to my God for the
delivery that seemed so near"
The old mans lips continued to move,
but no sound came from them. We
waited silent while, with closed ey es
and bent head, he remained absorbed in
the recollection OF that strange minute OF
devoutness.
Il stood there" he said at last, "fOr
what now seems space of hours, perhaps
half a minute in reality. Then all the
chances still to be run crowded upon me.
To turn around had been an attempt al
most desperate before, and certainly,
most certainl {, the ledge was no wider
where | now stood. Was the rope with
in reach? | feared not. Would it sway
toward me? l could hope for that
but could | grasp il should be saved /?
Wpr1l1 i ,of viz n INV
slowly down as pulled, unrOllng from a
coil above, trailing over the ground at the
top, running fast as its end apprOaehed
the edge, falling suddenly at last? Or
was 1t fastened to the accustomed stake ?
Was any cOmrade near who would sum-
mon aid at my signalg If not, and if |
grasped it, and If it held, how long should
l swing in the wind that now bore the
freshness and tremOrs of an imminent
gale?
Now again fear took bold on me, and
as desperate man prepared to turn my
face once more to the vast eXpanse of
water aud nothing beyond that awful
cliff. Closing my eyes, writhed, with
know not what motions, easily around till
again my back pressed against the preci-
pice. That was a restful sensation. And
now for the decision Of my fatel looked
at the rope. Not for a moment could l
fancy it within my reach! Its swayings
We're not, as had expected, even slightly
inward, but when falling back against
the wind, it swung outward as though the
air We're eddying from the wall.
"N0w gaZed down steadily. Would n
leap be certain death? The water was of
immense depth below. But what chance
OF striking it feet or head first? What
chance Of preserving consciousness in the
descent? No, the leap would be death; that
at least was clear.
again l turned TO the rope. | was
now perfectly desperate, but steady,
neryed beyond the best moments of my
life, good for an effort surprising the hui
man. Still the rope swayed as before,
and ITS motion was very regular. ] saw
that l could touch tat any point Of its gy-
ration by a strong leap.
"But could | grasp itY What use If il
were not firmly secured above? But all
time for hesitation had gone by. ! knew
too well that strength was mine but for
a moment, and that In the next reaction
OF weakness 1 should drop from the wall
like dead fly. Bracing myself, / watched
the rope steadily for one round, and as il
returned against the wind, jumped
straight out over the heaving Atlantic.
by Gods aid / reached, touched,
clutched, held the strong line. And it
held! Not absolutely. Once, twice and
again It gave, gave with jerks that tried
my arms. ] knew these indicated but
tightening. Then IL held firm and /
swung turning IN the air secure alove