Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-05-07

even in width as that sidewalk. re-
member fancying that it sloped outward
more than usual, but instantly dismissed
the notion, though CATER Pentreath. the
oldest man in that countryside, used tC
tell us that we should not get the use OF
that ledge always. 1t had been as steady
10 our time as in his grandfather's, and
we only laughed at his prophecies. Yet
the place of an old filled issure was
marked by a line of grass, by tufts of
weeds and small bushes, stretching alt
most as far as the ledge itself. and with
in foot or so of the cliff s face.
Eggs were not so many as usual, and
L went long piece from my rope be-
fore turning back. Then ] noticed the
very strange conduct of the hosts of sea-
fowls below. Usually there were hua>
dreds, but now there millions on the
the wing. and instead of darting forth in
playful motions, they seemed to be Wild
ly excited. screaming shrilly, rushing
out in terror, and returning in masses as
though to alight, only to wheel in dread,
and keep the air in vast clouds. he9o ~
The weather was beautiful, the sea
like glass. At no great distance two
large brigs. and nearer a small yacht,
lay becalmed, heaving on the long bill
lows, could look down her cabin stair.
way almost, and it seemed scarcely IT. ore
than long leap to her deck. -
Puzzled by the singular conduct of
the sea birds, l soon stopped and set my.
self back against the cliff to rest while
watching them. The day was deadly
still and very warm. .......' ..s...
( I remember taking off my cap and
wiping the sweat from my face and
forehead with my sleeve. While doing
this, looked down involuntarily to the
fissure at my feet. r Instantly my blood
almost froze with horrerl There was
distinct crack between the inner edge of
the issure and the ? lhard-packed, root
threaded soil with which it was filled
Fercibly pressed back, and in flash
looked along the ledge. The assure was
widening under my eyes, the rock be-
fore me seemed sinking outward, and
with shudder and groan and roar,
the whole long platform fell crashing
to the sea belowl l stood on a margin
cf rock scarce foot wide, at my back a
perpendicular cliff, and five hundred
feet below the ocean. now almost hidden
by the vast concourse of wheeling and
affrighted birds.
Can you believe that my first sehsa
ton was one of relief? l stood safe
Even a feeling of interest held me for
some moments. Almost coolly observ-
ed a long and mighty wave roll out from
beneath. 1t went forth with high,
curling crest-a solid wall of water! 1t
struck the yacht stern on, plunged down
on her deck. smashed through her swell
of sail, and swept her out of sight for
ever.
Not till then did my thoughts dwell
entirely on my own position; not till
then did 1 comprehend its hopelessness
Now my eyes closed conyulsively, to
shut out the abyss down which my
glance had fallen; shuddering l pressed
hard against the solid wall at nay back;
an appalling cold slowly ccept through
me! My reason struggled against "a
wild desire to leap; all the demons of
despair whispered to me to make an in
slant end. In imagination L had leaped
l felt the swooning helplessness of fall
ing, and the cold, upward rush of air!
Still 1 pressed hard back against the
wall of rock. and though nearly faint
from terror, never forgot for an instant
the death at my feet, nor the utter dam
ger of the slightest motion. How long
this weakness lasted 1 know not; / only
know that the unspeakable horror of
that 6rst period has come to me in wa
king dreams many and many q day
since; that have long nights of that
deadly fear; that to thiuk of the past is
to stand again on that narrow foothold,
and to look around on the earth is often
to cry ont with joy that it widens away
from my feetp
The old man paused long. Glancing
sidcwise at Jack, saw that his face was
pallid. l myself had shuddered aud
grown cold-so strongly had my imagi.
nation realized the awful experience
that Petherick described.
Suddenly said the old man, these
words flashed to my brain: Are not two
sparrows sold for farthing? And one
of them shall not fall on the ground |
without your Father. Fear not, there
fore; ye are of more value than many |
sparrows?' My faculties so strained, |
seemed to hear the words. Indeed, often
yet think that did truly hear voice
utter them very near me.
Instantly hope arose, consciously des-
perate indeed, but l became calm, re-
sourceful, capable, and feeling unact
countably aided. Careful not to look
down, 1 opened my eyes and gazed far
away over the bright sea. The rippled
pillows told that light outward breeze
had sprung up. Slowly, and somewhat
more distant. the two brigs moved to
ward the horizon. Turning nay head, l
could trace the narrow stone of my foot
ing to where my rope dangled, perhaps
three hundred yards distant.
1t seemed to hang within easy reach
of the cliff face, and instantly resolved
aud as instantly proceeded to work to-
ward it. No time remained for hesita
tion. Night was coming on. l reason
ed that my comrades thought me killed.
They had probably gone to view the