Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-06-08

IT. captain, but I Just cannot keep M
head anywhere near that edge. Wen
hold on to this end OF the rope, though
bein' there's human at the other
end"
IAN right, fellows. let her co." and
thankful for old gymnasium practice
Jack let himself over the edge, and
began to overland down the rope. Far
below, with a thrill Of agony, his little
wife saw his familiar figure, with the
old felt hat as usual on the back Of his
head, hanging over 500 feet OF space.
Just as he started, large piece Of
rock that the natives call rotten gran
ite," broken by his movements, rolled
over, the ledge, and. bounding from
the rocks, actually grazed the knee Of
the boy below. We saw Jack, on
reaching the ledge, lean cautiously for
ward and note the position Of the boy.
Then he drew down the rope from
above, and, weighing 1t, lowered 1t
carefully. 1t slid down like serpent,
slowly, and we watched breathlessly
to see whether 1t would be within
reach of the lads arm, for we saw
that he could not move from his place
at all to grasp 1t. An involuntary
shout went up from the increasing
crowd In the canon when 1t slipped
over his shoulder and into his lap. We
saw him wind 1t twice around his
body, fasten it securely, and gave the
signal to his father, who passed 1t
on to Jack, and he to the men above.
AS the rope frightened, the boy slowly
rose to his feet, and we saw with re-
lief that his legs were not broken, as
we had feared. He had remained mo-
tionless all those long hours because
his feet rested on two little inches so
narrow that he dared not alter his
position an inch.
Instead of drawing him to the top,
we soon saw that they were directing
him to the left toward the rock upon
which his father was, and which,
though it was, still had been
eyes Of the silent crowd followed the
of the boy, as, encouraged
again, and supported by the rope, he
pluckily made his way around the pro-
jecting cliff, pushing his body with
arms and legs away from the rocks,
that the rope might hang free from
above. Avoiding any look into the
depths below, his eyes sought that
pale but kindly face so far above.
Mine never swerved from the slender
figure up there moving steadily to the
left with the rope upon the dizzy and
narrowing ledge above the
boy. After some minutes Of perilous
as hours-the father, with eager,
reaching arms, seized the boy, and
drew him to the comparatively safe
point upon which he stood waiting.
A great shout rang out. My quiet
little black-robed neighbor buried her
face in her baby's breast. Jack waved
MS cap, and the men on top, who could
lot see what was going on looked at
)ne another with relief. Then, after
| colloquy, instead of drawing them
both to the top, Jack let down rope,
Ind in few minutes father and son,
led fast together, began their long,
dangerous descent. and Jack, winding
mother rope around him, was drawn
~ glad, strong hands to the top. Way
ng his hat again to me, he disappear
ID. So slow was the progress of the
nan and boy before us that before
hey had gone more than quarter of
he distance the rescuers were down.
Clinging with their hands and feet
or they had thrown down their shoes
the father, holding the rope, would
lid the boy to place of safety, and
hen follow unsupported himself. AT
asst they neared the foot; the poor
ortured mother climbed, baby In arm.
Up the first slope, and stood waiting
o meet them at the shoulder Of rock
lround which they must come. Jack,
lis face white and drawn with fatigue
ind excitement, so filed my mind and
thoughts that I scarcely saw the little
mother as she quietly but with deepest
ceiling called down Gods blessing on
nv gallant husband, or the father
when he seized his hand with manly
,rasp and turned hastily away without
,eing able to speak.-The New Voice.