The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-12-03

NOOAA
ness, and from the utmost depth of tbs 4
sheer air seemed to ascend steadilNa
deadly and chilling wind. But thirR
| did not stop for an instant. Instead,
delirium to move faster possessed IRE,
and with quick, sidelong steps-my fol-
lowing foot striking hard against thst
before-sometimes on the point N
stumbling, stretched out like the cruY
fled, l pressed in mortal terror along.
Every possible accident and delay was
presented to my excited brain. What
if the ledge should narrow suddenly to
nothing? Now l believed that my heels
were unsupported in air, and | moved
along on tip-toe. Now was convinced
that the narrow pathway sloped out
ward, that this slope had become so dis,
tinct, so increasingly distinct, that =,
might at any moment slip off into thu
void. But dominating every consideraf
tion of possible disasterwas still that of
the need for speed, and distinct amid
all other terrors was that sensation of
the dead-wall ever silently and inexor-,
ably pressing me outward
My mouth and throat were choked
with dryness, my convulsive lips
parched and arid; much l longed to
press them against the cold, moist
stone. But l never stopped. Fastexs
faster-more wildly I stepped-in de-
lirium | pushed along. Then suddenly
before my staring eyes was well-re-
membered edge of messy stone, and ]
knew that the rope should be directly
behind me. Was it?
| glanced over my shoulder. The rope
was not to be seen! Wildly l looked
over the other. No rope! Almighty
God!
But what! Yes, it mcves!-it sways
in sight.-it dieappears-to return
again to view! There was the rope di-
rectly at my back, swinging in the now
strong breeze with a motion that had
carried it away from my first hurried
glances. With the relief tears pressed
to my eyes, and-face bowed to the
precipice, almost forgetful for little
time OF the hungry air beneath of
fered deep thanks to God for the deliv-
cry that seemed so near.
| stood there for what now seems
space of hours, perhaps half minute
in reality. Then all the chances still
TO be run crowded upon me. To turn
around had been an attempt almost des-
perate before, and certainly, most GER
| tainly, the ledge was no wider where
now stood. Was the rope within
reach? | feared not. Would it sway
toward me? l could hope for that.
But could l grasp it, should 1 be
saved? Would it not yield to my hand
coming slowly down as l pulled, I'M
rolling from a coil above, trailing over
the ground at the top, running fast as
its end approached the edge, falling
suddenly at last? Or was it fastened to
the accustomed stake? Was any com
rade near who would summon aid at my
signal? If not, and if grasped it, and
if it held, how long should | swing in
the wind that now bore the freshness
and tremors of an imminent gale?
Now again fear took hold on me, and,
as desperate man, l prepared to turn
my face once more to the vast eXpanse
of water and nothing beyond that awful
cliff. Closing my eyes, l writhed, with
know not what motions, easily around,
till again my back pressed against the
precipice. That was restful sensa-
ton. And now for the decision of my
fate. | looked at the rope. Not for
moment could l fancy it within my
reach. Its sWayings were not, as | had
expected, even slightly inward; but
when falling back against the wind, it
swung outward, as though the air was
eddying from the wall.
Now | gazed down steadily. Would
leap be certain death? The water
was of immense depth below. But what
chance of striking it feet or head first?
What chance of preserving conscious.
ness i'll the descent? No, the leap would
be death; that at least was clear.
Again | turned to the rope. l was
now perfectly desperate, but steady.
neryed beyond the best moments of my
life, good for an effort surprising the
human. Still the rope swayed as be-
fore, and its motion was very regular
l saw that | could touch it at any point
of its gyrations by a strong leap.
But could l grasp it? What use if il
were not firmly secured above? But ali
this time for hesitation had gone by.
| knew too well that strength was mine
but for moment, and that in the next
reaction of weakness | should drop
from the wall like dead fly. Bracing
myself, | watched the rope steadily for
one round, and as it returned against
the wind, jumped straight out over the
heaving Atlantic.
BY Gods aid l reached, touched,
clutched, held the strong line. And it
held! Not absolutely. Once, twicel
and again it gave-gave with jerks that
tried my arms. knew these indicated
but tightening. Then 1t held drm, and
| swung turning in the air, secure above
the waves that beat below.
TO slide down and place my feet in
the loop was the instructive work of a
moment. Fortunately it was of dimen-
sions to admit my body barely. 1
slipped it over my thighs up to my arm
pits just as the dreaded reaction OF
weakness came. Then lost conscious.
ness.
When l awakened, my dear mothers
face was beside my pillow, and she told
rae that had been tossing for fort
nj l,,pt