Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-02-04

But, when silence reigned for some time
Pierce Ryan stepped out and said:
"The only hope is in descending to hel
aid, and with Heavens Help will max,
the trial. Give me u rope"
"It's madness" said one. "Don't at
tempt it, Pierce, if you value your life,
said another. You'll be killed befor,
you're half way DOWN"
"No matter, replied Pierce, "I'll risl
my life to save fellow creature, and II
| am killed, I'll die in holy cause"
"Nobly spoken, Pierce Ryan," sait
Father O'Brien, the village pastor, "anC
may your Heavenly Father be with you
in your attempt He who guided the
children of Israel through the desert
will not desert you in this extremity. u
The words of the venerable priest had
an invigorating effect on the listeners,
and infused new hope into their bosoms.
The tackle was speedily rugged, the tire
was replenished, and then the adventurer
stood on the edge of the cliff awaiting u
lull in the gale. The attempt now to be
made was one of the most perilous na-
ture, and death would be sure to overtake
the adventurer if his nerve should fail
him. The side of the precipice was
nearly perpendicular, it shelved in per-
haps few yards in it's descent, while its
surface was broken everywhere with tis-
sures and jutting crags. The only pos
sible means by which tho foot of the
precipice could be reached would be by
the aid of a pole, used with quick eye
and steady nerve, to fend off the adven-
turer from the side of the cliff. Added
to all this peril, however, was that of the
darkness. How could person de-
scending the face of the cliff on such
q night, guard himself with any
certainty against the numerous
jutting fragments of the rock !? Or, how
could he, even if he could effect his own
descent, ascend again to the edge of the
cliff above with another person? At
length it was arranged that Pierce should
descend at once by means of rope, girt
around his body, and made fast above,
while another rope should accompany
him down. Then if he reached the foot
of the precipice in safety, cloaks and
blankets should be lowered to him in
order that the sufferer might be protected
against the chilling blasts. Everything
having been arranged, the daring advent
urer seized favorable opportunity dur
ing the lull of the gale and commenced
his descent. The light of the fire, as it
shivered on the dark face of the preci-
pice, and the wild whirlpool of foam be-
low, gave an ominous character to all
around him; but his heart was a stranger
to fear; and skillfully avoiding the iut-
ting angles of the rock, he reached at
length the foot of the cliff, and with u
light bound springing over an intermedi-
ate chasm, stood by the side of the fugi-
tive from the wreck.
We shall not attempt to describe her
emotions during the dizzy descent of
young Pierce Ryan, nor the glad cry OF
joy with which she saw him land on the
rock to which she clung. She would
have thrown herself at his feet but he
would not permit it. Raising her up, he
said:
"Our thanks are due to God alone, let
us pray to Him that we may escape the
peril which yet surrounds US, for
scarcely know how we can reach the tor
of the cliff. But do not droop, for
have come to save you or die with you.
The fugitive raised her grateful eyes
and thenPierce saw for the first time tina
she was q young girl apparently seven
teen, and of unusual loveliness. Pierce
felt that he could dare the same danger
q thousand times to win another sucl
grateful glance from the eyes of the
lovely stranger. But the exposed stu
alton of the rock on which they stood
| g., H., 4 +l,
them-soon recalled him to the necessity
of providing place of shelter for his
companion until means should be found
to raise her to the summit of the cliff.
With great difficulty, and aided by the
rope from above, he succeeded in ele-
waiting her to a narrow shelf of the rock,
some ten feet higher up the face of the
cliff. 81 can never sufficiently thank
you" said the grateful girl, "but God
will bless you"
81 see that they are lowering down
cloaks in which to wrap yourself and
keep out this pitiless Storm" said
| Pierce.
The bundlo was by this time swinging
overhead, and, watching chance, young
Pierce soon succeeded in catching and
disentangling it from the rope.
Happily he had provided himself ere
he began his descent with restoratives,
and these he now applied freely to the
sinking girl. He besought her to walk
to and fro, on the narrow ledge of rock
on which they stood. By these efforts
he succeeded in partially reviying her
and at the end of half an hour, he saw
with joy unspeakable, that the tempes
had begun TO lull. Pierce now gave the
signal TO those above, and soon chail
was descending. How he trembed with
eagerness during the minutes that
elapsed ere it reached the rock. AT
length the chair swung on the ledge
where they stood.
| Not moment was to be lost. En-
hortlng his companion to rally her ener-
gies for this last effort, he lashed her
firmly in her seat, and seizing the rope
by which the ascent of the chair was tC
be guided, gave the signal. The attempt
was perilous to the last degree, but they
knew that it was the only chance for life
left. With fearful eyes his companion
took leave of him, but Pierce, assuming
u cheerfuIness he scarcely felt, bid hei
retain her presence of mind and all would
90 well. "Oh," said the girl, sit is only
for you fear now. How can you reach
the summit, when there will be no one
below to guide your ascent?"
"Ihe God who preserved me once will
preserve me again, if He sees fit" said
Pierce. Before ten minutes shall be
safe at your side With beating
heart the yonng man gazed at the dizzy
course of the chair. Once or twice he
trembled violently as he saw it despite
all he could do, swinging in dangerous
! 10 a iuttipn ronk Al lanrrtl