Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-09-16

an Ben Lomond an Ben Nevis
there's mountain for ye, If ye like!
But brae like this, WI a. the stanes
lynn helter-skelter, an crags that we
can barely hold on to-and a mad
chap guidin we on at the speed O.
leapin goat tell We, | haven't been
used tot" Here he drew out his flask
and took another extensive pull at it.
Then he added suddenly, Just look at
Errington! He'll be in fair way to
break his neck if he follows yon wee
crazy loon any further.
| At these words Lorimer turned
sharply round, and perceived his friend
! following Sigurd step by step UP mar
row footing in the steep ascent of
some rough, irregular crags that ran
out and formed a narrow ledge, ending
in sharp point juttlng directly over
the full fury Of the waterfall. He
watched the two climbing figures for
an instant without any anXiety-then
the suddenly remembered that Philip
| had promised to go with Sigurd Ito the
top Of the Fall" Acting on a rapid
impulse which he did not stop to ex-
plain to himself, Lorimer at once
started eff after them,-- the ascent
was difficult they were some distance
ahead, and though he shouted vocifer-
ously, tn roar of the cascade rendered
his voice inaudible. Gaining on them
however by slow degrees, he was
startled when all at once they disap-
peared at the summit-and GREATNESS
with his rapid climb, he paused, be-
wiIdered. By-andby he saw Sigurd
creeping cautiously out along the rocky
shelf that oyerhung the tumbling tor
rent-his gaze grew riveted with a sort
of deadly fascination on the spot.
Good Cod" he muttered under his
breath. Surely Phil will not follow
him there!'
He watched with strained eyes, and
u smothered cry escaped him as Erring-
tons tall figure, erect and bold, APP
peared on that narrow and dangerous
platform He never knew how he
clambered up the rest of the slippery
ascent. A double energy seemed given
| to his active limbs. lie never paused
again for one second till he also stood
on the platform, without being heard
or perceived by either Sigurd or Philip
Their backs were turned to him, and
he feared to move or speak, lest a sud
den surprised movement on their parts
should have the fatal result of precip-
tating one or both into the fall. He
remained, therefore, behind them, ST.
lent and motoness, looking, as they
! looked, at the terrific scene below.
From that point, Njedegorze was a
huge boiling caldron, from which arose
Wteaths and coiling lengths Of white
vapor, family Colored with gold and
silyery blue Dispensing in air these
mists took all manner of fantastic
forms, -ghCstly arms seemed to wave
and beckon, ghostly hands to unite in
prayer, and futtering creatures in
gossamer drHperies of green and GriIl-
son appeared to rise and float and re-
tire and shrink to n0thingness again
| in the rainbow drift and sweep of
whirling foam. Errington gazed UNI
Iconcernedly down on the scething
abyss. He pushed back his cap from
| his brow, and let the fresh wind play
among his dark, clustering Cur!S. His
nerves We're steady, and he surveyed
the giddily twisting wheels of shining
water without any corresponding gid
diness in his own brain. lie had that
sincere delight in a sublime natural
spectacle which is the heritage Of all
! hn "a nd t,gtia
permanent; and though he stood on Il
fral ledge of rock, from which one
false or unwary step might send him
to certain destruction, he had not the
slightest sense of possible danger in
his position. withdraw ing his eyes
from the Fall, he looked kindly down
at Sigurd, who in turn was staring up
at him with a wild fiXity of regard.
well, old boy" he said cheerfully,
this is a fine sight! Have you had
enough % it? Shall we go back?"
Sigurd drew imperceptibly nearer,
Lorimer from his point of vantage
behind huge boulder, drew nearer
also.
60 back" echoed Sigurd. why
should we go back"
why, indeed" laughed Errington,
lightly balancing himself on the tremb-
ling rocks beneath him. Except that
should scarcely think this is the best
place on which to pass the night Not
enough room. and too much noisei
What say your"
To be Continued.