The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-02-24

the wreck. Oue Wilu Snrlek rose over ali
the uproar OF the gale, and then silence,
II silence there could he amid that hurri-
cane, fell on the scene.
"There is not a soul left alive. fear
the sufferer below is the sole survivor"
said Pierce.
"Can nothing be done to save herr"
asked some OF the spectators. Many
shook their heads, and several turned
away as il longer delay at the spot was
useless. But when silence reigned for
some time, Pierce Ryan stepped out and
said:
"The only hope is in descending to her
aid, and with Heavens help, will make
the trial. Give me rope"
"It's Madness" said one. "Don't at
tempt it, Pierce, IL you value your life"
said another. "You'n be killed before
you're half way down." "No NATTER"
replied Pierce, "I'll risk my life to save q
fellow-cr creature, and il am killed, I'll die
in a holy cause"
"Nobly spoken, Pierce Ryan," said
Father O'Brien, the village pastor, and
may your Heavenly Father be with you in
your attempt. He who guided the chill
dren OF Israel through the desert, and
maintained the holy martyrs amid the
fires OF persecution, will not desert you in
this extremity"
The words of the venerable priest had
an invigorating effect on the listeners,
and infused new hope into their bosoms.
The tackle was speedily rigged, the fire
was replenished, and then the adventurer
stood on the edge OF the cliff awaiting a
lull in the gale The attempt now to be
made was one of the most perilous nature,
and death would be sure to overtake the
M al IA
The side of the precipice was nearly per-
pendicular, it shelved in perhaps few
yards in its descent, while it's surface was
broken everywhere with assures and jut-
ting crags. The only possible means by
which the foot OF the precipice could be
reached would be by the aid OF pole,
used with quick eye and steady nerve,
to fend off the adventurer from the side OF
the cliff. Added to all this peril, however,
was that of the darkness.
Everything having been arranged, the
daring adventurer seized favorable OPP
portunity during the lull OF the gale and
commenced his descent. The light OF the
fire, as it shivered on the dark face OF the
precipice, and the wild whirlpool of foam
below, gave an ominous character to all
around him; but his heart was stranger
to fear; and skillfully avoiding the jutting
angles of the rock, he reached at length
the foot of the cliff, and with light bound
springing over an intermediate chasm,
stood by the side of the fugitive 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:
sour thanks are due to God alone; let
us pray to him that we may escape the
peril which yet surround us, for scarcely
know how we can reach the top Of the
cliff. But do not droop, for / have come
TO save you or die with YOU"
The fugitive raised her grateful eyes,
and then Pierce saw for the first time that
she was young girl, apparently about
seventeen, and of unusual loveliness.
Pierce felt that he could dare the same
danger a thousand times to win another
such grateful glance from the eyes of the
lovely stranger. But the exposed situa-
tion of the rock on which they stood-for
every wave dashed the cold spray over
them-soon recalled him to the necessity
of providing a 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 elevat-
ing 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 low
ering down cloaks in which to wrap your
self and keep out this pitiless Storm"
said Pierce. The bundle 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 made her drink OF the life-giv-
ing liquors, 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 reviving her, and at
the end OF half an hour, he saw with Joy
unspeakable, that the tempest had begun
to lull. Pierce now gave the signal TO
those above, and soon chair was descend
ing. How he trembled with eagerness
during the minutes that elapsed ere it
reached the rock. AT length the chair
swung on lnc leuBe WHere tney sJoou.
Not moment was to be lost. Exhort-
ing his companion to rally her energies
for this last effort, he lashed her firmly in
her seat, and seizing the rope by which
the ascent of the chair was to be guided,
gave the signal. The attempt was peril
Gus 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 a cheerfulness
he scarcely felt, bid her retain her pres
ence OF mind and all would go well.
"Oh," said the girl, " it is only for you /
fear now. How can you reach the summit,
when there will be no one below to guide
your ascent"
"The God who preserved me once will
preserve me again, IL He sees it," said
Pierce. Before ten minutes l shall be
safe at your side" With u beating heart,
the young man gazed at the dizzy course
OF the chair. Once or twice he trembled
violently as he saw 1t, despite all he could
do, swinging in dangerous proximity TO
iutting rock. At length, he saw it grasped