The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-01
A PERILOUS ADVENTURE

10 Barton was IA years old when his parents
moved from Illinois TO Kansas, and settled on
n claim on the Verdigris river, three miles
shovs where tho city Of Coffeyville now
stands
There were few settlers In that vicinity NJ
tho time. and game, such as deer. WIG tur-
KEYS. geese and ducks, were found IN great
Numbers along the stream.
Jo. who was tho proud possesSsor OF
double barrelcd shot gun, spent much OF ms
time. when not engaged in work on the claim,
in roaming through the woods In search OF
game. and managed by these frequent excur-
sions into the woods 20 keep the family well
supplied with fresh meat.
The river ran a westerly course from the
Barton cabin for about mile, then made an
abrupt curve 10 the left, flowing in south
casterlv direction. Just where the river
makes the short turn, on tho left bank stands
n steep cliff that rises to the height OF 100
feet above the water This is known as Ea-
Gle Rock, deriving its name from the fact
that for many years a pair Of eagles built
their nest in the rocks about midway along
the face Of the cliff.
10 often passed by this ledge In his ram
bles through the woods; and one warm DC
tobcr day he discovered that swarm Of bees
were busily at work in a crevice Of the rocks
about forty or fifty feet from the summit OF
the cliff.
He told his father Of this fact on his return
home. and endoavored 10 induce him TO help
him 10 devise some means Of obtaining the
honey.
But Mr. Barton discouraged any such eff
forts. and replied that it was an undertaking
Of moro danger than profit.
But this was far from checking JOe's de-
termination TO sec what could be done in that
direction.
He returned to the cliff the next day, and
took a mental survey Of the surroundings.
On closer inspection of the ledge, he dis
covered that shelf Of rock ran along its face
Just below where the bees had taken up their
quarters, and could easily be reached by let
ting a rope down from the top
He had brought rope with him-one that
his father had used in sinking a we'll II was
about twenty-five yards long, and would
easily reach from the top Of the cliff TO the
shelf Of rocks TO which he wished TO descend
He tied one end of the rope TO n small tree
that stood ON the very edge Of the precipice
Then he threw the other end over, and COM
mcnced to descend.
The first twenty feet OF his descent was
more Of an incline than perpendicular, and
as he slowly made bis way over this 10y means
Of the rope be noticed signs that indicated
that some sort Of wild animals had recently
made their den in the rocks.
He was fully convinced Of this fact when,
10.
lection in the cliff and discovered several
large holes extending back into the precipice
He continued his descent till he reached the
shelf below, and here ho found an easy foot
ing.
A few yards along the cliff, just above tho
shelf Of rock, he discovered the bees busily
swarining about large crevice.
But he saw at a glance that it would be i'm
possible to obtain the honey without the use
Of powder TO blow away the rocks
The crevice or opening in which the bees
had taken up their quarters was securely pro-
tected from invasion by huge bowlder that
would weigh ton at least
After examining the place carefully, Joe
came TO the conclusion that the bowldertould
readily be removed by placing good charge
of powder in the crevice behind it and light
ing it by means of a fuse.
1t would take but short time to try the
experiment, at least, and he made up his
mind to do so at once.
He hurriedly climbed to the top of the cliff,
and then returned home, where he obtained
couple of pounds Of blasting powder and
about twenty feet Of fuse, that had been left
over from blasting in the well.
He said nothing to his parents regarding
his intentions, but hurried back to the cid
alone, anxious to put his plan into execution.
He placed thipowder and fuse in his coat
pocket, and again climbed down the rope &c
the shelf Of rock ON the face Of the cliff; He
then wrapped the powder in long, fat par
Gel, and placing one end Of the fuse in this
he tied it securely with Irvine. He then slip
ped the parcel into the crevice behind th'
bowlder as far as he could, and made ready
to light the fuse.
The bees few about him, angry at the in
trusion, and drove him along the shelf sew
eral yards, where he waited for their rage Il
subside before lighting the fuse.
He then looked at his rope, and made SURE
that it was all right and In its proper place
1t would not do to make s1hy miscalculationS
He must be ready to climb the minute b.
fired tho fuse, as there would be no timo I,
lose
I Seeing that everything was secure and tn
rope in place, be picked up the end of tn
fuse and drew a match from his pocket. Ill
casta glance over the edge Of the precipic
as he did so, and drew back with shudder.
A hundred feet below the river roare'
through a mass Of sharp, jagged rock;
What II the rope by some mischance shoul
become detached from its fastening aboyei
lie took hold Of the rope again and pulle'
on II. Ii was still secure; but as the rop
moved at his touch he heard slight noise O
the shelf Of rock overhead. He glanced uf
ward, and as he did 50 he met a sight tina
chilled him with terror.
Standing on the rocky ledge above HI
head, its restless eyes flashing and long Ia
lashing the rock, stood large mountain licr
For one brief, terrible moment 10 stood q
II frozen to the spot He could see the ali
mails large, cat like eyes fixed upon him, an
the big paws reaching out along the rocks q
1t glided slowly and noiselessly toward him.
10 had never encountered one Of these an
mails before, though be knew what 1t was q
glance and recognized the fact that no w
80 tho most deadly peril He had no NEAR
Of defending himself and escape was imposs
tle il it should attask him.
Tho only weapon in his possession was
pocket knife; but an attempt 10 defend hin
sslf with such frail means OF defense aSaini
the attack OF such an animal was worse tina
useless.
lie knew by its movements that the Ito
was making preparations tospring upon HIN
He cast hurried glance about him, but ne
where could he SEQ any avenue OF escape.
feeling OF terror and despair came over him
Slowly the savage beast crept along u
edge OF the ledge and then 1t lay Hat on u
rocks, its eyes flashing, IFS whole frame tren
ulous with suppressed ferocity.
10 knew then that IL was going 10 sprini
and a, that very instant a daring resolutio
seized him. The rope was in his hand, an
just as the animal sprang out into the air q
ward him 10 leaped over the edge, still hol'
ing fast TO tho rope.
Far out over the dizzy height, like hue
pendulum, he swung and rs he did 50 he sli
rapidly down the rope, and when he sw'in
back 70 the face Of the cliff he was doze
feet below where be had stood, and undo