Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1889-04-26
the attack of such an animal was worse than

He cast hurried glance about him, but no
where could he see any avenue of escape.
feeling Of terror and despair came over him
Slowly the savage beast crePt along the
edge Of the ledge and then it lsy fat on the
rocks, its eyes flashing its whole frame trem
ulous with suppressed ferocity.
10 knew then that it was going to spring
and at that very instant daring resolution
seized him. The rope was in his hand, and
just as the animal sprang out into the air to
ward him 10 leaped over the edge, still bold
ing fast to the rope.
Far out over the dizzy height, like a huge
pendulum, he swung, and as he did so he slid
rapidly down the rope, and when he swung
back to the face Of the cliff he was a dozen
feet below where he had stood, and under
meath the shelving rocks, out Of reach of the
animal above.
But his action had not been a moment too
soon, for at the very instant he leaped over
the cliff the lion shot downward with hor-
rible growl and lit on the very spot where 10
had been standing.
10 heard the angry growl and uttered a
brief prayer Of thankfulness for his miracu-
ious escape.
Now that he was out of reach of the fierce
beast be felt a sense Of security, but it was
only of moments duration, for in swinging
against the face Of the cliff he found there
was no place where he could gain the slight
est foothold, and was compelled to sustain
his entire weight by chnging to the rope with
his hands
He knew that it would be impossible to
hold to the rope any great length of time.
Bis arms would tire out and then
He grew sick and dizzy at the thought. In
his despair, hardly knowing what he did, he
shouted for help, though he knew how next
to impossible it was that any one could hear
him, or even if they did, how could they
reach him before it was too latel
He listened, but only the echo Of his own
voice came in answer to his call he could
hear the soft footballs Of the hon overhead as
It moved restlessly about
Some small rocks near the brink, becoming
detached, fell over the cliff and struck on the
rocks below with a faint echo
10 felt his arms grow weaker and weaker.
BE turned his eyes to where the sun was
streaming over the rocks How bright and
warm it was, and its very brightness seemed
a mockery to his despair and helplessness.
II be only had some place to rest his feet
il there was only loop In the rope
Here he made a joyful discovery. There
was loop in the lower end Of the ropel He
had made loop in 1t himself before lowering
it down, thinking he might find it necessary.
He quickly let himself down little, when
his feet were on a level with the loop. Then
he thrust his right foot into it. This gave
him a chance to rest his arms by releasing
them of most Of the weight that they had
been compelled to sustain.
He breathed easier now. he was In no Inn
mediate danger, and felt that he could main
tain his present position for little while at
least
A flock Of wild ducks few swiftly by him
and settled down in the river a quarter Of a
mile away. A cricket sang it's shrill refrain
in the rocks overhead, and the sound Of water
rushing among the powders hundred feet
below came family to his ear and sent cold
SILVER through him. How long would he
have to wait till some means Of escape should |
present itself
Even with his foot resting In the loop, his |
position was a trying one to bis strength, and |
could not be maintained for any great length |
of time.
He could still hear the great cat moving |
about on the rock occasionally.
He turned his gaze upward, and as he did 1
so no caught sight Of the end Of the fuse |
dangling over the side of theledge, and reach
ing down three or four feet below the pro-
lection.
Asudden daring resolve entered Joe's mind.
he would fire the fuse and explode the powder
in the crevice above.
He felt sure this would succeed in driving
the lion from his position.
He could fire the fuse by climbing up a few
feet, and then return to his present place of
temporary security, where be would be shell
tered from the flying rocks But another
thought came to him.
What if some Of the rocks blown from the
cliff should strike the rope and sever It'll
The thought Startled him. But then he re-
nembered his father in blasting in the well
mad often left the rope in without its being
injured In any way.
He was determined to try the experiment
1t any rate His situation was a desperate
one, and he felt that he would have to en-
Dloy desperate means In order to make his
sscape He climbed slowly upward till In
each of the fuse. The lion, evidently aware
hat some one was approaching, uttered an
lngry growl
Here 10 found II necessary to release one
land from the rope while he lit the match,
md in order to hold himself on the rope he
vas compelled to wind the rope about one of
lis feet and hold it in place with the other.
His hand trembled as he held the lighted
match to the end Of the fuse A little
wreath Of black smoke rose up as the tar on
he fuse began to burn, and them shower
4 small sparks, followed by low, Kissing
ound. The fuse had caught
10 dropped the match and hurriedly slid
own the rope to his former position. He
ould hear bis heart beat as he waited and
.,..A H. 81 49, L
vent by. What If the fuse was defective
nd should faill
A loud report, that shook the very face Of
be cliff, sounded overhead, and at the same
Instant the lion, with q wild scream Of terror,
Ollowed by great mass Of rocks and dust,
bot out over the precipice, and fell with ter
ifc force down, down on to the rocks hun
red feet below.
10 hurriedly drew himself to the ledge
bove; and then, overcome with the exer-
ion and excitement, he fell senseless on the
Ocks.
When he recovered consciousness he climbed
D the topof the cliff and hurried home, where
e related his adventure to his astonished pa !
snts
The next day 10 and his father returned to !
be place, and found the mountain lion lying !
cad at the edge Of the river on the rocks at /
be foot Of the cliff.
Over fifty pounds Of honey were obtained :
'om the crevice where 10 had fired the DOW
er, but he never forgot how near it had come /
, costing him bis hfe.-Golden Days !
I
An Electric Light Cake. '
The sequel to the celebration Of Mr.. Edi- b
ms ed birthday recently occurred, when, r
ccording to The Electrical Review, the serv- Z
nts employed in his house and outbuildings,
Of to be oubdone by the employees OF the .
presented him birthday cake Of
immense size and novel construction. It was
bout feet in diameter and u inches high. '