The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-01
,,,ro weigh. by clInging to tho rope with

his entire weight 10y ciinging 10 ''' ''i" "'"'
10 knew that Il would he impossible to
hold 70 the rope any great length OF time
Ills arms wo,ld tira.ou and then
He grow sick and dizzy at the thought IN
HE desfair. hardly knowing what he ala, ne
shouted for help, though he knew how next
10 impossible Il was that any one could ne"
him. or even II they did, how could thcy
reach him before Il was too later
He listened, but only the echo OF ms own
VOICE came in answer 20 his call. lie could
,,.r tho soft footballs Of the lion overhead as
II moved rcstlessly about.
some small rocks near tho brink, becoming
detached. fell over the cliff and struck on the
rocks below with faint echo.
Ia fclt his arms rlow weaker aud weaker.
ia turned his owes to where the sun was
streoming over in, rocks How bright ana
warm i. was, and is very brightness seeh'eu
n mockery 20 bis despair and helpiessness'
n no only had sorno place to rest his feet
~ there was only loop in the rope.
Hero he made joyful discovery There
vos n loon in the lower end Of the ropel He
had made loop i'm it himself before lowering
n down. thinking he might find 1t necessary
He quickly let himself down little, when
his feet were on level with the loop. Then
no thrust his right foot into it. This gave
him chance to rest his arms by releasing
them Of most Of the weight that they had
been compelled to sustain.
lilo breathed easier now. He was in no inn
mediate danger, and felt that he could mann
tain his present position for little while at
least.
flock Of wild ducks flew swiftly by nm
and settled down in the river quarter OF
milo ayav. A cricket sang its shrill refrain
j., the rocks overhead. and the sound of water
rushing among tho powders hundred feet
below came family TO his ear and sent cold
SILVER through him. How long would he
have 20 wait till some means of escape should
present itsclfl
Even with his foot resting in the loop, his
nositlon was q trying one TO his strength, and
could not be maintained for any great length
OF time
He could still hear tho great cat moving
about on the rock occasionally.
He turned his gaze upward, and as he did
so he 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 hepowder
in the crevicc above.
lie felt sure this would succeed In driving
the lion from his position.
He could fire the fuse by climbing up few
feet. and then return 10 bis present place Of
temporary security, where he 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
membered his father in blasting in tho well
had often left the rope in without its being
injured in any way.
He was determined to try the experiment
at any rate His situation was desperate
one. and he felt that be would have to en-
ploy desperate means in order to make his
escape. He climbed slowly upward TIL In
reach Of the fuse. Tho lion, evidently aware
that somo ono was approaching, uttered an
angry growl
Here 10 found it necessary to release one
hand from the rope while he lit the match,
and in order to hold himself on the rope he
was compelled to wind the rope about one Of
his feet and hold it in place with the other.
His hand trembled as lie held the lighted
match TO the end Of tho fuse. A little
wreath Of black smoke rose up as the tar on
the fuse began TO burn, and then-a shower
Of small sparks, followed by low, Kissing
sound The fuse had caught
10 dropped the match and hurriedly slid
down the rope to his former position. lie
| could hear his heart beat as no waited and
listened. He counted the seconds as they
went by. What if the fuse was defective
and should faill
A loud report, that shook the very face OF
the cliff. sounded overhead, and at the same
instant the lion, with wild scream Of terror
| followed by great mass of rocks and dust,
shot out over the precipice, and fell with ter
rife force down, down on to the rocks hun
dred feet below.
10 hurriedly drew himself to the ledgG
/ above; and then, overcome with the exer
ton and excitement, he fell senseless on Tho
rocks.
When he recovered consciousness he climbed
| 70 the top of the cliff and hurried home, where
be related his adventure TO his astonished pa
rents
The next day 10 and his father returned t.
the place, and found the mountain lion lyint
dead at the edge of the river on the rocks a
the foot of the cliff.
Over fifty pounds Of honey were obtained
from the creyice where 10 had fred the pow
der, but he never forgot how near it had com
to costing him his lfe.-Golden Days.