The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1897-01-02

tinct, my trembling hands told me that
it moved bodily toward me, the descent
behind me took an unspeakable remote
ness, and from the utmost depth of that
sheer air seemed to ascend steadily q
deadly and chilling wind. But think
did not stop for an instant. Instead,
delirium to move faster possessed me,
and with quick, sidelong steps-my fol-
lowing foot striking hard against that
before-sometimes on the point of
stumbling, stretched out like the cruci-
fed, 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 believed that my heels
were unsupported in air, ard j 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 l
might at any moment slip off into the
void. But dominating every considera-
tion of possible disaster was 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 cholsed
with dryness, my convulsive lips
parched and arid;' much I longed to
press them against the cold, moist
stone. But l never stopped. Faster,
faster-more wildly stepped-in de-
lirium l 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?
Iglanced over my shoulder. The rope
was not to be seen! Wildly looked
over the other. No rope! Almighty
God!
But what! Yes, it mcves!-it sways
in sight!-it disappears-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
chances. With the relief tears pressed
10 my eyes, and-face bowed to the
BiCCiDiCC, a iIttiS
time of the hungry air beneath Of
fered deep thanks to God for the deliv-
cry that seemed so near.
l stood there for what now seems q
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? l feared not. Would it sway
toward me? l could hope for that.
But could grasp it, should ] b.
saved? Would it not yield to my hand
coming slowly down as pulled, un
rolling from a coil above, trailing ovel
the ground at the top, running fast as
it's end approached the edge, falling
suddenly at last? Or was it fastened te
the accustomed stake? Was any com
rade near who would summon aid at my
signal? If not, and if / grasped it, ane
if it held, how long should | swing il
the wind that now bore the FRESHNESS!
and tremors of an imminent gale?
Now again fear took hold on me, and
as a desperate man, prepared to turf
my face once more to the vast expans,
of water and nothing beyond that awful
cliff. Closing my eyes, / writhed, will
know not what motions, easily around
till again my back pressed against TIT
precipice. That was a restful sensa
ton. And now for the decision of m,
fate. looked at the rope. Not for ,
moment could fancy it within m,
reach! Its swayings were not, as I hat
expected, even slightly inward; bu
when falling back against the wind, j
swung outward, as though the air wa
eddying from the wall.
Now l gazed down steadily. Woult
a leap be certain death? The watel
was of immense depth below. But wha
chance of striking it feet or head first
What chance of preserving conscious
ness in the descent? No, the lexp woult
be death; that at least was clear.
Again l turned to the rope. / wa
now perfectly desperate, but steady
nerved beyond the best moments of m,
life, good for an effort SURPRISING tn,
human. Still the rope swayed as be
fore, and its motion was very regular
I saw that could touch it at any poin
of its gyrations by strong leap.
But could grasp it? What use if i
were not firmly secured above? But al
this time for hesitation had gone by
! knew too well that strength was min
but for moment, and that in the mex
reaction of weakness should dro]
from the wall like dead fly. Bracini
myself, ! watched the rope steadily TO
one round, and as it returned agains
the wind, jumped straight out over tn
heaving Atlantic.
By Gods aid l reached, touched
clutched, held the strong line. And
held! Not absolutely. Once, twice
and again it gave-gave with jerks tina
tried my arms. knew these indicate,
but Tightening. Then IT held irm, an,