Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1904-05-28
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* So IA Botdpists Ad'soturs. '''' Kxx
3y Gilbert u. Tolman. ;.!Ms&Ksa.aG
Gy albert ". Tolman.

Dut presently tlic Slluih peSuh w WV
on the botanist's muscles, strong
though they We're. Two feet above
his finger tips the rope ran through the
eye of supporting rod. If he could
but raise his body and get up on this
bar he would for the time be COM
paratively safe. ., ann, .n,
uren tiiless, on the slender piece Of
steel. What should lie do next?
He looked up. 1t was more than
thirty feet to the roots Of the tall grass
stalks that shook their tufted tops
along the edge of the quarry. He
turned his glance downward. The top
of the first stairway was only five
yards below. 1t would be an easy
matter to swing himself down to the
safety those wooden steps afforded,
while to climb to the level Of the
field meant several minutes Of hard
and painful work.
Once at the top, however, he was
free to go where he pleased; but if he
descended and waited for his plight to
be discovered he might have to remain
hours in that rocky pit hatless under
the broiling sun.
Sedgwick's resolution was soon
taken. He would scale the summit as
soon as his arms could carry him
there.
The rods supporting the wire rope
were ten feet apart. so the next above
the one on which he stood was about
yard and half over his head. There
We're only two more between that and
the top. Reaching as high as he could,
the bOtanist began to "shin" the cable.
He threw up his right hand for another
grip. His fingers closed over a spot
where the rotting canvas had left the
wire strands bare.
The metal was burning hot. Worse
than that. several needle-pointed wire
ends studded the otherwise smooth
surface, and drew the blood wherever
they touched the skin. 1t was like
crashing metallic singing nettle. II
he took light hold he could not lift his
weight, while Il firm grasp meant cruel
liberation of his hands.
Sedgwick set his teeth and contract
ed his erip--A- ra,an-~an afford 20 Mn
dergO some physical discomfort when
he is swinging over hundred feet of
empty air.
Once: twice three times he renewed
get one Knee over the bar. When he
finally stood upon it the insides of his
hop nd, nd an h1aaIinu
piously from dozens of minute pune
lures, and the perspiration stood in
big drops on his face. His head
throbbed painfully in the hot sun. The
veins and arteries seemed full to the
point of bursting.
Decidedly, this was more than he
had bargained for. But the grass-roots
We're now barely twenty feet above,
and he entertained no thought of turn
ing back.
hot. The hard bluish-white wall swan
before the botanist's eyes. If only
some cloud would check those terrible
fiery arrows the sun was shooting at
him!
The light tin canister weighed like
lead upon his shoulders. His arms
ached as if they would drop off, and he
was growing weak and dizzy. What II
he were to have sunstrOke before he
reached the surface!
The dread of it gave him fresh
strength, and before this wore away
he had lifted himself ten feet higher
and stood on another bar. There was
but one more; and after that-safety.
The next few moments were agoniz'
ing ones for Sedgwick; moments of
dead, painful effort that seemed to
drain his system to the very dregs OF
energy and endurance.
The blood from his torn hands ran
down his wrists into his sleeves as he
climbed, and now and then drop
spattered upon his face. The pitiless
sun-rays seemed to be probing his
brain, burning out the power OF
thought and leaving only the con
seriousness Of suffering.
Yet in spite of all he kept rising
First with one hand. then with the
other he grasped. the strands above
the bar. The eye through which the
rope ran was close to his chin; II
touched his chest, his thigh. A second
later he got his knee upon it and ther
his foot. His face was just above the
level of the ground. and the warn
fragrance of the luxuriant grass was
strong in his nostrils.
And now, when deliverance seemed
| so close, came the most terrible five
seconds the botanist ever experienced
AS he stood on the siy-inch rod Of
steel, his body was turned sidewise Sc
that it leaned against the cliff. HI
had yet to raise himself five feet be
fore he would be on solid ground. Tht
wire rope could assist him no longer
for its end was fastened round a spike
in drill-hole level with his chest; ant
he must get firm hold yard higher
before lie could safely pull himself up.
With bleeding hands he explored til,
soil among the grass-roots, seeking ,
place suitable for his purpose. If HI
| tIltt W N'lN iioIii WIS
he could not sink his fingers deeply il
the earth while If he took hold to,
near the brink the turf might pull
through and allow him to fall back
ward.
At last he found spot that satisfied
him, and worked his hands down int
the ground, regardless of the pain
Then. mastering all his strength, h
raised himself slightly.
His feet had hardly left the ba
when his right handhold tore out; hi
left followed. He slipped back, clutch
ing wildly at the grass.stalks. until hi
soles touched again the slender rod o
steel There he stood for moment
rigid with horror. lettering above tn
abyss.
! Everything depeuded OH the turf