Year: 1874

skilled boxer, left me weaker and weaker
at every blow. And it was so trcacherods
too, the water. It would draw away for
time. leaving me free almost to my knees
and then, as if driven by some sudden i'm
pulse, it would gather itselfup, and return
in great seething swathe of water that
would swallow me up from head to foot.


The cud was fast coming now. / had
ceased to feel anything. Only dogged
determination. to stick 10 life to the last,
kept me clinging to my beam. ..


But, what was that sound A long and
piercing scream, roar. and rumble,
and rat'e-it was au engine


An engine coming along the completed
part of the bridge, shricking aud scrcam-
ing, and dashiDg out great watts of white
steam into the stormy air. The sound
gave me fresh life aud vigor. Human
creatures were within reach, at all events.
If could make them hear me, might
yet be saved. ......... .....-.


The engine came slowly along, and I
heard the voices of men shouting to one
another. Why, then, should they not
hear mc' | tried, too, to shout, but my
voice stuck in my throat. couldn't
make a sound louder than whisper, 10,
not with all the goodwill l had to shout
like an archangel. -..-. .......


The engine came so near at last that !
could see the glow Of her fires through tho
lntcrstices of the flooring of the bridge.
And now there was men standing with
lanterns at the very extremity of the
bridge; and still | could not make them
hear. ...-..


For an instant the glad thought had
struck me that had been missed, aud
that these men had come to look for the
but the next moment l saw the folly of the
idea. Days might elapse before my fate
was known. 1t was not even yet beyond
the time had fixed for reaching home.
No; the mon were railway werk men, per-
haps going to do nights shift of work on
the bridge; and | couldn't make them
hear.


Suddenly. heard n sharp. quick bark,
and then growl as of anger or inquiry,
and was conscious that there was dog
with the men above. The dogs faculties
were keener than the mems; perhaps it
was possible might make him hear; So
barked, shrill swapping bark. with which
! had often deceived my own terrier Jock.
The dog acknowledged The challenge: and
replied furiously. Then l heard the voice
OF mau shouting to the dog to be quiet;
but the dog barked still more furiously,
standing at the very verge Of the platform,
as though it would throw iiselfover. Then
some men came to the edge of the platform
too, and peercd over, and then in my ex-
tremity | gave a cry-a wild, despairing
cry. Then huge hoarse wave dashed
over me. .......t


II 1t had not been for the consciousness
that help was near. Icould not have held
on against that furious rush of waters but
did hold on, at least l think SO and
when the wave receded, bright, dazzling,
light shone into MY eyes, light from the
bridge, where some one holding what SEEM
ed to DO a portable sun, but that was &C.
tually piece of burning magnesium wire.
Then everything disappeared in the black
est darkness.


:" Did you see anything ?" cried voice.


(" I'm not sure l thought l saw somc-
thing move"


A couple of lamps from the engine werc
bow brought, and placed at the edgo Of
the platform; they lit up the beams and
rafters Of the bridge, but the light seemed
to be lost in the dark waters. All! they
would never sec me H


Ouce more l bad strength to cry.


"Ah! it's man down there" heard
somebody shout


A long plank was run over the gap in
the bridge. then another; along the two,
a portable windlass was quickly wheeled
a bucket descended, and in it man with a
! lantern.


" Polio, mate !''hc cried as he caught
sight Of my white face in the focus Of his
lamp, "what the duce are you doing here p"
i In another moment | was standing in
safety on the further side of the bridge.
owed my rescue to the unexpected visit
Of the chiefengineer of the line, who had
come down to see with his own eyes tho
manner in which the bridge behaved in q
heavy gale, and had driven With tho engine
to the farthest accessible point of the plat
form.


What comforting cup Of hot coffee
that was Of which partook by the warmth
Of the engine furnace, and how exhilerat-
ing the run homeward OH the swift shrick-
ing engine


| was at Dolbadarn in timc for dinner.
after all. AS sat down TO the cheerful
meal with friends who we're discussing tho
light ordinary topics of the day, / looked