The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1892-05-05
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ABSOLUTELY PURE
ABSOlUTErY PURE
SAVED BY A RAVEN.


vas seventeen and Frsnk fifteen. and boil
boys In summer ranged the coast in
small skill collecting birds eggs aud otbe
specimens.
George Cwped PCT Isven. which b'
had trained TO follow him. carry small par
cells in ITS mouth, and do many other IN
telligent things. aud the bird wss exceed
ingly attached to him.
Que lovely Juue morning the two boy
and their cousin. Ned Bradshaw, put on
from the little wild dock in sn open skif
with two tanned sails 10 make sn excur
sion TO Cormorsnt island, about three lea
gues down the coast.
Jack came hopping and flying down the
rocks appealing pi,eously, with loud cav
ing, TO be taken on board. George raised
his hand and shouted. mo. Jack; csn'I
come. Home Jack" and then the skiil
was pushed Of. while the poor lonesome
bird stood on rock close to the waters
edge,
The object OF the visit to Cormorant is'
laud was TO get some OF the eggs OF the
cormorant, which are rather difficult TO
obtain. The boys had not told their par
ents where they we're going. but they had
decided upon nothing less then the ascent
TO the island. the sides OF which rose al
most perpsudicularly out Of the sea to 9
hight OF nearly four hundred feet The
island had three Sides and on one OF these
sides WAS a series OF rocky shelves res.m
bling q stairway, but some of them were
so narrow that 1t was impossible to get Q
steady foothold upon them.
When tho coast fishermen passed the
island they sbuddered because so many
tragic events were connected with its name.
Five or six adventurous persons had scaled
its shelvy sides and got up among the
u multitude OF birds but not man OF them
had ever been able to make the descent.
But George had quietly provided himself
with two short hsnd.gaffs, with stout
|
ming loop OF cord to be fastened around
each wrist, and on the other end strong
steel hook. These were designed for getl
ting hold 10 cracks and assures in the
face Of the cliff where it would be impos
sible to draw ones self up by means OF the
fingers, for George knew that the most
! daring and expert climbers had used gnffs
with success.
When they reached the bsse OF the is
land. which stood close to the mainland
they pulled their skiff upon small plat
form OF rock, got out their guns and be
gan shooting the birds that circled around
the island and nestled on the terraces.
Then George told us that he was going
up.
Now, boys. said he, as be threw OF his
coat and tightened his be I, don't be bit
frightened about me; with these gsfs !
can climb up there without any trouble,
and can come back, too, with the great
est safety. III take your bag, Frank, for
the eggs, only put plenty Of oskum 10 It
80 they won't break when am coming
back.
Then seizing the ssfis tightly in his
hand be sprsng toward the cliff. running
nimbly up . half dozen PAGES almost %
light footed ~ weasel. The two boys
looked at him in speechless terror, but
they had great faith 10 his skill and cour'
age. He found little difficulty in passing
the first dozen lodges or 80. for be could
easily reach them. and they gave sure loot
ing. Every minute or so be stopped to
consult his drawing. which WAS complete
chart OF the fsce OF the cliff He stopped
looked nervously about him and AGAIN
carefully studied his drawing. IL va
plain that the path which be had traced
ou, for hlmsef in dctted line WAS sn lon
possible one. Nevertheless, he turned his
hand behind him and waved signal OF
encouragement, but he never once looked
back or down.
Then he seemed to gather resolution
stuck fast one gsG, aud then smother, INTO
two tiny riits 10 the cliff aud drew himself
up over 9 spsce OF seven or eight iest to
The ledge above. Then. for the first
Zine lie turned aud looked down. These
riils ran obliquely. aud from his gestures
il seemed only too plain thsi he doubted
La H. Rut
no, fail him, and after . minutes rest be
Ies umed bis perilons journey, sometimes
by one, With no place TO put bis toe yet
II VAS marvellous 10 See the progress be
made up The iron stained face ci tie steep
sail
Near tbs top Of the cliff beetled cut
above his bead. sud he crept slopg The
ledge, tirst 70 one side and then to smother
looking Tor some part OF the rock above
him where be could get bold Tor bis
steel locks. He tried one place snd snoth'
er. but was sirsid 10 trust himself. aud 81
les, discovered small mn through which
. tiny stream Of water nckisd. and into
,hs, be thrust both hs gsn-, liitine
himself lightly upssrd-
THIS wss the most perilou' spot OF all
for ,bove bin YES . sire,ch OF shout nj
teen te.t Of bald cliff, below bin isy 81
sb,ss nearly four hundred fsei deep si,t
lsursipg zee and cruel rocks :, The bottom
! To ,urn bis bead snd look dosn would b
terror snd Immediate destruction. 90 b.
climbe 90 aud 90 shifting bis esn' ifoa
one boldins point 70 another. sticking BIZ
knees bard sgsins, The eiih snd bsrdl!
eve, fnains sPo, to place bis foot Tbe'