The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-06-02
PERlLOUS ADVENTURE.
A Bold Undertaking Carried Through
Under the stress Of Excitement.


Under the Stress Of Excitement.
IL Is often the case that persons
under excitement carry through un-
dertakings which they would other
wise think beyond their ability. The
adventure Of Scotch fox-hunter
among the mountains Of his country
goes to prove this most conclusiyely
He was once tempted To follow his
| hounds into n desolate and dangerous
region, at n time whcn IL was more
than usually hazardous, rs the ground
was covered with thick coating OF
snow. Thoughtless OF the perils about
him, he suImountcd one difficulty after
another, until at length the clamoring
pack brought him TO a ridge Of frozen
snow, so narrow NJ its upper edge
that he could advance only by sitting
astridc Of il aud pushing himself for
ward with the united leverage Of hands
and feet In this way. however. he
succeeded in making the passage. But
not long afterwards his dogs lost all
trace of their fox. aud, bafled and
wearcd. he gave up the chase. Re-
tracing his steps, he was once more
at the ridge Of snow, and now first
became aware of the perilous nature
OF the path he had chosen. On one
side tho drift reached down to the edge
Of a procipicc, more than n thousand
feet in perpendicular height and on
the other side. in one unbrokcn sheet.
slopcd down to distance of five or
six hundred feet.
Now. it often happens that obstacles
surmounted. perhaps with ease. under
the flush of hope and excitement, be-
come magnilicd when failure has sub
ducd the spirits Though the ridge Of
snow had been passed with safety but
little before, IL now presented
barrier before which the courage both
Of hunter and hounds quailed with
trepidation As he looked down
into the depth below. on either side.
he almost shuddered to thinl, that he
had crossed such place; but the
thought that IL still lay between him
self and home was more unpleasant
still. Darkness however, was coming
on apacc, and he knew full well that if
he would not pass tho night on these
snowy heights tho passage must be
made again
Urging his dogs forward, therefore,
he prepared to follow them; but his
own want of confidence appeared 10
have extended 10 his dull companions.
and though unable TO speak or hmon-
strate. they obeyed with instructive re.
luctancc. The leading hound, however
had not advanced far when he lost his
footing, and in spite of every effort TO
recover himself. rolled down one Of
the stocp banks of snow before men
toned. Tho fox-huntcr watched his
hound. until in the waning light il was
almost out of sight; but then, seeing
that the fall was arrested by some level
surfaces, where il now stood. appar-
emily without hurt, he determined
rather than face the danger of the
narrow ridge Lc:ors him. in the gloom
of evening. to follow his hounds eX-
example, knowing. from his acquaint-
ance with the locality. that II he once
gained the lower ground the greatcs
difficulty in his way homo would be
past.
Calling back the rest of his pack,
therefore he rolled up his plaid, and
seating himself upon it as cushion.
began To slide down the snow in the
direction of his four-footed precursor.
But thus to shoot = steep slope five or
six hundred feet in lcngth Is no triiling
performance. and not without hazard.
How he reached tho bottom he has
never been able To remember from that
day to this. He rccolected launching
himself forth on the snow. then fol-
lowed n wild rush through the air. n
choking sensation and giddy feeling
of bewildcrmcnt. and his next moment
Of consciousness was rs he lay half
buried in the level snow at the foot Of
rhc slope his hounds gathering about
him. and all of them, like himself. un-
injured. - YOUTHS comrdpiom