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

water 10 row over before striking the
,sr,er river, and when he reached II the
little scow with It's precious freight was
AZ least that dlstanre from shore ana
much closer 10 the rapids than even the
boldest oarsr,an would even dare to 60.
So utterly desperate appeared the
chance. ~ ---.... .h.. :. s> So 60
Chippewa Creek, tho shuddering specta'
tors. among whom was Mr. LYons, with
one accord called out TO the gallant boats
man not &c throw away his own life IN DO
mad an attempt. But the brave
fellow paid no heed to their cries. Out
TO the broad bosom Of the Niagara he
pu,hed. aud was presently flying
obliouely down aud across stream with
Sne speed on Q raciug-snell. Hrs wife
screamed aloud in an agony OF apprehen-
non. and TO even the coolest among us
Il seemed all too horribly certain that
we should witness n double tragedy.
Moro aud more earnestly. without
break or skip. aud with nevor'reiaxinS
strength, the experienced scullcr bent 70
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,
II, success appeared we'll nigh impos-
sible. The child could perhaps, DO
snstchcd from the boat before reaching
the rapids. But what theni Neither
he nor his rcscuer. We felt convinced
could ever regain the shore.
sno p,or women, Lyons's wife and
| Jimmy's mother, sobbed pitifully rs we
all hurried down the edge OF the
river so as TO keep abreast Of the ski II.
None OF us dared to encourage them by
| hopeful word, for not one of us be
| lieved that either would ever again be
clasped in the arma Of husband or son.
Tho tiny scow was now quite 600
yards from shore, and, with gradually
accelerated motion, was drawing fright.
fully near the raEiids. But the pursuing
boat went four feet to it's one and wa.
swiftly closing the gap between them.
The innocent babe had at last become
alarmed, and as Lyons drew near, he
stretched his little arms imploringy to-
ward him, sight which drove the
women nearly frantic and cause | the
tears to roll down more than one manly
check.
"Oh, hush hush not a word noI
cheer yet" some one said in choking
whisper, as the two boats came together.
"The fight is still to winl"
As he ranged alongside, Lyons pullo1
In ore oar, leaned over the gunwale,
cought up the child and lifted him into
his own boat. "Too late Oh. too late"
shrieked his agonized wife. And, in-
deed, it so seemed to each one OF us.
But then the noble fellow, cool as il
there was no danger within thousand
miles, reshipped his oar and did the
only one thing which could offer pos.
slbIc 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 quirtcrins
iown, and, pulling with nerves Of steel
lnl giant strength, shot with arrowy
| speel dIagOnally ath Shrt the rivers
course, and, in less than five minutes,
| lmde | sa,cly at the hca Of the c.Iinlel
rurniu between Streets Island M | tlu
mainland!
Tncn But why not 60 oni y, lsr.
;a e, much less my poor pen, can
adequately describe the scene which fol-
! owed.
Tnis incident is a matter Of history, |
presume, but 1 may inform those who
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
darnS no one unacquantcd with its
scene can realize. Romance.