The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-12-09


larger river, and when he reached II the
little scow with its precious freight was
at least that distanre from shore and
much closer 10 the rapids than even the
boldest oarsrnan would even dare to 60.
So utterly desperate appeared the
chances of rescue, that, as he sped down
Chippewa Greek, the shuddering specta.
tors, among whom was Mrs. Lyons, with.
one accord called out to the gallant boat.
man not to throw away his own life In so
mad an attempt. But the brave
fellow paid no heed to their cries. Out
to the broad bosom of the Niagara he
pushed, aud was presently flying
obliquely down and across stream with
the speed cf Q raclng-shell. HIS wife
screamed aloud in an agony Of apprehen-
SION. and to even the coolest among US
it seemed all too horribly certain that
we should witness double tragedy.
More and more earnestly, without
break or skip, aud with nevorsrelaxlny
strength, the experienced sculler bent 30
his work, glancing now and again over
his shoulder at the precious prize he had
determined to win-or die in losing.
To US, who, hardly daring to speak
or breathe, watched the fearful venture,
its success appeared we'll nigh impos-
sible. The child could perhaps, be
snatched from the boat before reaching
the rapids. But what then2 Neither
he nor his rescuer, We felt convinced,
could ever regain the shore.
poor women, Lyons's wife and
Jimmy's mother, sobbed pitifully as we
all hurried down the edge of the
river so as to keep abreast of the skiff.
None OF us dared to encourage them by
a hopeful word, for not one of us be.
lieved that either would ever again be
clasped in the arms of husband or son.
The tiny scow was now quite 600
yards from shore, and, with gradually
accelerated motion, was drawing fright
fully near the rapide. But the pursuing
boat went four feet to its one and was
swiftly closing the gap between them.
The innocent babe had at last become
alarmed, and as Lyons drew near, he
stretched his little arms imploringly to-.
ward him, sight which drove the
women nearly frantic and causel the
tears to roll down more than one manly
cheek.
"Oh, hush hush! not a word no,
cheer yet" some one said in choking
whisper, as the two boats came together.
"The fight is still to wini"
As he ranged alongside, Lyons pulled
in ore oar, leaned over the eunwale.
cought up the child AMI lifted him into
his own boat. "Too late Oh. too late !"
shrieked his agonized wife. And, in-
deed, 1t so seemed to each one Of us.
But then the noble fellow, cool as if
there was no danger within a thousand
miles, reshipped his oar and did the
only one thing which could offer DOS.
siblc chance for life. He did not valnly
attempt to stem tho current by rowing
upstream, nor even directly toward the
shore, but turned his bow au,iterinc
down, and, pulling with nerves of steel
ani giant strength, shot with arrowy
speel disgonally ath 9art the rivers
course, and, in less than five minutes,
linde I safely at the hea / of the ca,nnel
running between Streets Island au tic
mainland
Tncn-but why not 60 on2 M la1.
3ua e, much less my poor pen, can
adequately describe the scene which fol.
owed.
TINS incident is matter of history, I
presume, but i may inform those wno
now read of it for the first time, that the
Royal Humane Society of England soon
after sent to Mr.. Lyons its gold medal,
in recognition of his daring dced-how
daring no one unacquainted with its
scene can realize.