Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1906-10-26
MY UNCLE'S LEAP.
From the New York weekly.

In nat neighborhood, very wild and pre-
cipitous, and remarkable for the peculiar
character of the strata of which mar OF
the wave and weather-beaten cliffs were
composed.
My uncle was a keen geologist, and had
Imbued me with some OF his own inter-
tst in the subject; and many a long and
pleasant ramble we had together. armed
with our little hammers and specimen
cases.
During one Of my visits to my uncle. he
mad at the time as guests two profess
sional biologists of some eminence, who
had heard Of the special facilities the
neighborhood afforded for the pursuit OF
their favorite science,
For the first day or two, we contented
ourselves with showing the strangers the
features OF scientific interest more imme-
diately in the vicinity; and with these
they were greatly gratiied. But my uncle
was anxious that they should inspect a
district some miles off, peculiarly rich in
specimens. and which he had himself Wis
tied several years before. but never since
| had been the companion Of his expedi-
tions; therefore, it was new to me-, as
well as to our guests.
Everything was arranged for our start.
n We set off after an early breakfast,
driving the first portion of the distance,
and putting VI our trap at a farm house,
to await our return, while we pursued the
remainder of our excursion on foot.
Our expedition was a great success.
Many rare specimens Of different fossils
were added TO our collections. and my
uncle was much gratihed that his exer-
tons for the entertainment of his guests
had been so satisfactorily rewarded.
We were all experienced climbers, so
the risk was disregarded. and the two
biologists and my uncle had Just turned
round a rather sharp angle, and l was
closely following, when the rock on which
l trod suddenly gave way under my feet,
and, after a brief, but Intellectual struggle,
l slipped down, with my face toward the
sea.
Uttering a cry. / instinctively flung my
hands upward. One of them, in some
marvellous manner, caught a projecting
portion OF the ledge; the other was strong
iy grasped by my uncle, who, being merci-
fully close to me, turned at my shout, and
instantly seized hold Of my extended hand.
For two or three minutes. which seemed
an eternity to us both. my brave relative,
who. though an elderly. was a very pow
erful man, held me suspended in this
frlghtful manner, while he endeavored
TO take in the situation, and decide on a
plan Of action.
our Mortified friends were powerless to
help, as they could not possibly get near
me ol account OF the narrowness Of the
ledge, which afforded even my uncle a
most precarious footing, and rendered use
less II attempt to raise me from my
position.
l was young. and life was very sweet to
but l felt that my last moment was at
hand. Another second or two must end
the matter; so severe a strain could no
longer be endured: our hands must loosen
Their hold, n I must inevitably be
dashed 10 pieces on the broken rocks l had
at the foot Of the precipice.
There was an instant Of breathless sill
ence, during which time my uncle had
clearly realized the critical nature of the
and decided on a plan of action.
looked over. and saw that, just below the
where | was suspended, there was a
rugged projection Of rock, extending fully
SIX feet beyond the perpendicular Of the
point where | hung. If / fell on this, my
tate was sealed no power could save me
from death. Beyond this rock was water.
of a depth sufficient to break the
force of the fall, If that water could only
be reached; but in his lay all the diff
Guilty.
My uncle was a good, as well as a brave,
man; he loved me as the son of a dead
sister, and he was willing to dare every
thing to save me; but he did not UNDER
value the nature of the awful risk he was
on my behalf, and he knew
tnat he was going to take his own life
In his hands, as well as mine. Breathing
a praye for divine protection, he said
quietly. but firmly:
Tom, there Is but one way for it. III
you, or we will both perish togetherl
When l say the word, take your hand
from the ~rock-nowi"
AS my uncle loudly said Now 1 re-
my hold of the rock; and, at the
instant, my uncle made an immense
effort, and sprang horizontally into the air,
me with him, and, retaining his
hold of my hand as we rushed violently
down, turning over in our headlong de.
scent. / cannot pretend to say that / ever
very distinctly recollected my sensations
during those awful seconds. for 1t was
nothing more. 1 had my senses pretty
clearly while hung from the rock, and ]
san recall the gasping feeling which / ex,
perienced as l took my hand away; but
that, all Is chaos.
So great was the force with which my
uncle leaped, that he completely cleared
the projecting ledge, Inc we fell into thu
sea, which was deep enough to break ouI
fall, though the violence of the shock un.
iooseG our grasp of each other. Hall
stunned as we Were, the cold water prob.
ably acted as a restorative. We were both
excellent swimmers, and, a moment OF
W later, we were breasting the waves
fortunately not too boisterous for our
sorely tried strength. We rose about,
twenty yards apart. at some little distance
from the rocky ledge, and rather near A
nattish rock which reared it's head from
the pillows. For tnis shelter we made,
and too deep for utterance were the feel.
ings with which we ook each others
hands, and gazed into each others eyes.
Thank God! my boy!' at last said my
uncle fervently.
II do, uncle; and you too. Where should
I have been now, but for you!'
Hush Tom. Thank God, we're both
safe. 1t vas a p~erilous jump. no doubt OF
that
We both shuddered as we gazed on the
precipice frowning above us, on TIN TOP
of which we could see our TWO so rect lily
horror-stricken friends. wildly waving
their hats in a transport of joy at their
discovery of us on the rock, apparently
safe and sound. A hearty cheer in reply
assured them of our perfect safety; and
then my uncle shouted to them some d.
r~ections as to the course they We're TO pur.
sue In endeavoring TO procure assistance
for our rescue. Owing to the width OF the
ledge broken off where fell, their return
by the same route was impossible: and a
long and p~erilous walk had to be under
taken before they were themselves in
security. where they Immediately sought
out means OF deliverance for my uncle and