A RIDE ON A WEATHER-COCK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 24, 25 July 1868, Page 5

A RIDE ON A WEATHER-COCK.

AN ADVENTUBE WITH A MADMAN.

" Well, Tom, you don't mean to say you funk it ; I thought you had more pluck than to stick at a little thing like that. Suppose the spire is a hundred and fifty feet high, why there are ladders all the way up, and isn't it just as easy to mount the hundreth step as the first ;" urged my adventurous comrade} as he looked wistfuly up at the tall, tapering steeple, which the workmen were newly pointing. "I tell you what, Willie ; I don't see the use of runing the risk of breaking our necks in the attempt ; for you, who have so lately recovered from brain fever, too, it would be the height of folly." " If so, Tom, it's folly's hight itself I'ni going to climb to, and within ten minutes I will be astride on the weathercock. Good-bye, my boy, I'm sorry, you havn't the courage to follow," and whistling a livoly air, Willie Bf adney walked towards the church porch. I was now ashamed to hang back ; I knew that the next day Willies adventure would make him the hero of the school — a position which we were ever struggling for in jealous rivarly ; so ere he reached the church, I overtook him, and signified my intention of sharing the adventure. " That's right, old fellow !" was the retort ; " but come, be quick, ere the workmen return from dinner," and parsing into the belfry, we ascended the steep, winding steps of the tower, and soon gained the battlements. 'So far, was all well. We were already one hundred feet from the ground ; but above us rose the tall, tapering spire to a hight of a hundred and fifty more, it's Corinthian pinnacle surmounted by the glittering weather-cock, which had been newly gilded. The accent had to be made by ladders, which were bound to each other, and secured tightly to the stonework. I glanced at Bradney He seemed cool and determind ; his fight foot was already on the ladder. "Go on I said, "if you are resolved, I'm with you," and away he went, and I after him. There is nothing easier than getting up a ladder. I took care to grasp my way tightly with my hands, and neither to look up nor down. Willie, however, climbed much faster than I, though unaccustomed to the work. We both often paused for rest. At last I heard him shout — " Here's a pretty go, Martin ! this confounded pinnacle projects a matter of two feet above the top bar of the ladder. I don't see how to clamber over it !" " Come down again, then, like a sensible fellow !" I cried, for I heaffcly wished the adventure over.' " Oh ! go to Bath !" was the courteous retort, and looking up, I perceived Bradney's legs dangling in the air, as he endeavoured to clamber over the projecting stonework and reach the iron vane. In this he succeeded. I was equally lucky. A minute later, aided by the cross bars which marked the points of the compass, we ascended the huge weathercock, and aat astride on it, facing each other. It was then that horror of our position seemed first to burst upon each of us. I looked down, and two hundred and fifty feet below lay the town, and the great square, which was filled with people evidently intently gazing up at us, and looking no bigger than sheep. Then I glanced at the churchyard directly beneath ; it presented the appearance of a small, level grass plat, with white mice running over it, for, to my bewildered vision; the very grave-stones seemed to move. I felt that I was becoming dizzy 5 the flaky clouds overhead appeared to flash by with sickening rapidity, and I threw my arms backwards around the tail of the cock for , support. At this moment, a hdllow, harsh, laugh broke from my companion ; for the first time I glanced, at his fade, and the terrible | expression depicted there I shall never forget. His eyes flashed lurid and wild, his face was pale as a corpse, and a light foam stood on his lips. " Isn't this glorious !" he screamed with another maniacal laugh ; " right to the blazing sun, I tell you, and we are soaring fast. Look at the gaping crowd below. Ah !ah ! they can't stay us. There's the old church tower, too, I should say a mile down : but where is the spire — the tall spire that we climbed Up once I—'tis1 — 'tis gone ! Never mind ! Oh, brave bird !" and he struck the cbck with the flat of his hand, as if to encourage its flight. A terrible thought struck me. -My friend's reason, so lately prostrated by brain fever, had left him. I was alone with a madman ! This idea was sOon confirmed ; again rang forth the shrill, hollow laugh, and again Bradney shouted in the wild accents of delirium — "Ah! ah ! faster and faster ! See the ■blood-red clouds above and below us ! J The world is gone ! There is the sun, a ball of fire ; and we sailing into its very vortex. ' I say, Martin, let's throw ourselves from this stupid bird's back ; we shall get on faster without him." "No, no, Bradney; I'm tired, and like riding — let's stop where we are," I replied, for I knew it was the best way to humour a madman ; but my words had no effect. "No, no, my boy; you promised to follow me, and you shall come off with me^ or I will pull you. by main foroei We

fly so fast that if we don't take the leap at the same moment, one will w dropped ' / twenty, oh, thirty miles behind." / He crept towards me as he. sjtoke', itili clutching and mouthing. I saw his intention. I again glanced below>sr^r6 fearful than ever seemed the feafcj^ depth at my feet. *-^^ Tighter, with the tenacity of despair, I grasped the tail of the gilded, bird ; but ' what would that avail against the strength of a maniac. At this moment, a gust of wind caused the vane to spin round from east to north ; that sudden blast saved my life. Poor Bradney I6st his balance 1 , and fell from the giddy height. I saw him sink through the air, strike against a pinnacle of the.tower, and then rebound like a ball. I remember nothing more, untillrecovered consciousness, many fyours after, and found myself in my bed.