The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-14
A LEAP FOR LIFE.
The Thrilling Adventure of a
Brave Pioneer of Maine.

Among the first to settle in what is now
the town of TOpshan, on the great falls Of
the AndToscOggin River, was young man
named Barnes He was of great stature
nearly seven feet high, and strong and act
i've, being especially noted for Swiltness IN
running He selected as his choice for
home tract of forest land some distance
from the little settlement Bolder than his
neighbors, he went in advance of them an
began clearing" in the forest lying upon
a small river, StIll called by the Indian
name of the "Cathanse."
This is a beautiful stream, and though
not long from lis source to its mouth IN the
broad KennebeC River, winds through many
very romantic and picturesque scenes. one
OF these is a deep rocky gorge, where the
stream is suddenly narrowed IN from wide
lake-like expanse, ard flows between high
walls Of granite rock, that either their own
force or other powers of nature have rent
asunder for passage. The walls are upright
Oh either side and the chasm Is nearly thirty
feet deep. At its naTTOWest width, the
place is still pointed out as the scene of
the pioneers daring leap. the distance Is
almost twenty-five feet
But our hero had no wife nor child, and
with daring nature and conscious OF his
strength and swiftness, he went boldly TO
his work upOn his clearing, which was three
and ak, he trusted to his watchlul eye and
ear to guard against any snrprlse.
But the Indians were very Skllltul In the
arts Of WOOdcraft. and one day the pioneers
caution was overmatched. Busily at work
In telling a huge tree, tue noise of his ak
strokes Overcame all other sounds AS the
tall trunk fell he laid down his ak 10 wipe
his brow, wien a cultural voice spoke TO
him from behind, and he turned 10 see
party Of Indians standing a short dlsta tce
away, each with rife pointed at him.
Come" the leader said, in broken English,
you brave man; no Kill; go with me to
Canada"
Barnes had always kept his rifle within
reach, but now it was gone. The sayages
saw his surprise, and pointed to the rifle,
which one of their number had IN his hands.
The wOOdman was foiled aud the Indians
smiled grimly as they saw it, and evidently
felt sure OF their captive, though they knew
his great size and strength.
He knew they would not attempt to shoot
him 50 long as they felt there was chance
for his capture.
1t was now in the early spring, and the
melting SHOWS had made the stream rush
ing torrent Of water and blocks OF broken
ice, and the Indians believed he could cross
nowhere else with his lite.
But the woodlands superior knowledge of
the locality reminded him of the narrow
gorge which was in tie opposite direction.
Throwing up his hands as If TO surrender
the pleased savages relinQuished their guard
and lowered their guns. Instantly the plO-
neer wheeled about and dashed with his
great strides in the direction OF the river.
Some Of the Indians raised their rifles and
fired, but their bullets went wide of the
mark and they all started in hot pursuit
The Indians Of the PeuObscOt tribes were,
many of them, swift runners, but the tall
woodsman knew that few, if any, were a
match Tor himself But the pursuers had
on light moccasins, while he wore heavy
wooden shoes, ana several OF them were
gaining upon him. AT a turn in the forest
path he stopped and cut the strings to his
shoes and flung them of. Now in his stock
ing feet he could hold them a more even
race. The river soon came in sight, and his
savage pursuers yelled with delight, for
they thought this would surely bring the
white man 10 bay, and all redoubled their
speed TO share his capture.
The point on the river to which the woods
man seemed 10 be heading was wide and
impossible, but he knew that just below
tile broad current made sharp benz and
flowed in a pent-up torrent through the
narrow gorge. Toward this he suddenly
wheeled and dashed at his highest speed.
The path LED down a rocky ridge, thinly
covered with trees, and at the edge the
granite rock was bare aud smooth. Gath
ering all the power of his mighty sinews he
flung himself from the brink out over the
boiling chasm.
With united yells of rage and wonder his
foremost pursuers halted, no doubt expect
ing to see their prey swept from them, a
mang led corpse in the rushing waters and
Jagged rocks Of the channel. But they were
disappointed, for the leaper's confidence in
his power was not misplaced. and he landed
safely on the farther cliff. His boldest pur-
suers dared not attempt to follow, for no
other man could bridge the chasm with
leap.
From his safe vantage point the triumph
ant pioneer greeted his crestfaIlen foes with
a shout of derisiOn, and then made his way
safely to the settlement.-N 7. Press.