Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-03-27

ing our strength for the rough water
through which we should have to fight our
way; for though we had started some four
hundred yards above the Mill our dread
was lest we should be swept past without
swimming so far across.
1t was fierce work. Every now and
then we had to avoid some obstacle-wooG
work, tree, or the carcass of some drowned
beast; while once shuddered as my hand
struck upon human form. Our clothes
seemed to grow heavier and drag us down,
while. when at last we were swimming In
the full current of the stream, my heart
sank, for I felt that we should never be
able to cope with it long enough to
achieve our object. Not two yards below
nae swan Harris, keeping level with nae,
stroke for stroke; but in the glance l
caught could read the same thought in
his eye, though we tried to cheer each
other on as well as we could with that cold
rushing water at our lips trying hard to
drag us down..
Once thought it was all over, and l
threw up my arms with wild cry ; for, in
trying to avoid tree trunk that came
surging down upon us, | did not make any
allowance for the long snake-like roots,
one of which seemed to curl round my legs
and drag me down. l went under once,
twice, and even now i can recall the hor-
rible laundering of the water in my ears |;
but the next moment l was clear, when, if
it had not been for Harris sustaining arm,
| must have gone down in that furry and
excitement, for, breathless and half stran-
gled, my nerve was completely gone. But
on again, cleaving the water with firm
strokes, feeling that the lives of all in the
Mill perhaps depended upon our exertions,
though the stream had swept us far down,
and l could see how much way we had lost
as We came nearer and nearer to the cottage.
"Turn more up stream" painted Harris !;
and we battled ON, lower and lower in the
water, while, though fighting with the
enemy of despair, I could feel that we
should never reach the Mill, for the stream
seemed switter and swifter as we reached
the true bed of the river. IN
"Fred!" Kissed 9 voice at my elbow all
at once, and / turned my head to see the
most pale and CHASTITY face ever beheld--
Fred, if you ever get to them, tell her
was true to the last, and did all | could.
But j can't reach her; I'm about DONE"
AS he spoke, my hand struck upon the
thin branches of willow pollard, whose
head was above water; and then reaching
out my other hand, / caught Harris just
in time, for the stream was sweeping him
away; but the next instant we were both
among the branches of the pollard, resting
with the water above our breasts. Upon
looking round tried to make out whether
there was no eddy at hand of which we
could take advantage, and then SWIM down
upon the island; but no-the water seemed
to break down upon the house with one
tremendous rush till it struck the walls,
and then divided right and left, as though
embracing the place, and trying to lift it
boldly in its watery arms. / could see
that the watchers at the window saw our
peril; and holding on with one hand,
waved the other in way meant for en-
-couragement. But / saw figure clasp
her hands to her eyes, and shrink back, as
though in despair at our position, when,
turning round to Harris, I asked him if he
could manage the other fifty yards that lay
between us and the position that should
sweep us down upon the Mill. T6t as9Ji .
He set his teeth and nodded; and then
without word darted off with bold rush
that Tastonisbedg me after the tokens of
weakness he had shown ten minutes be-
fore. However, tried hard to initiate
him, and followed some two or three yards
behind, always halfswimming against the
stream, as it swept us nearer and nearer to
the house.
All seems now to have been one wild
dream of rushing water and bowling wind,
mingled with the screams of women, as
once more beaten in strength we were
driven down almost with the swiftness of
arrows right upon the Mill, whose trellis
woodwork afforded secure hold, though
the stream beat furiously against us in its
efforts to tear us away. The next recollec-
ton / have is of being halfhelped, half.
dragged in at an open window by Harris,
and then feeling Helen's warm tears upon
my face as | lay completely exhausted upon
q bedroom floor.
But it was time of peril-a time to be
up and doing, for the wster was still ris
ing fast, and now, as it rushed past the
house, seemed to grow more furious at the
obstacle in its way. Had we felt assured
of safety, it would have been an interest
ing though sad sight to watch the waits
borne upon the breast of the flood; but
we were in danger, for could not feel
assured that the place would bear the
pressure now brought to bear upon it. The
lower windows had early been broken in
by the wood work swept against them, so
that the water had clear course through
the lower part of the house; sheds had
been swept away; furniture foated out;
while the greater part of the old wooden
mill by the side had early in the fight
succumbed, though the ton of the large
understood wheel yet showed above the
flood.
Shivering as was with cold and excite
ment, can remember grim smile coming
upon my face at seeing how thoroughly
my timid little sister, who aforetime would
hardly have stolen look, now chung
helplessly to friend Harris as if protection
lay in his arm, but told myself it was
human nature, and began to look out for
help. Water all around-savage, living,
rushing water leaping up at us, and even
splashing In at the open window some
times, while step by step 1t was slowly
creeping up the stairs with a strange, lap
ping sound, as it came nearer the bedroom
door
There was still the attics to flee to, even
if we were driven from the bedroom but
that was not the dread there was not
much prospect of so high . rise; the ques-
ton Was, whether the building would
stand. At another time | should have
poh-pohed a doubt, and talked of the
strength of the old place and pointed to
the stout walls; but now with torrent
rushing through, and every window up
stairs rafting with the vibration, the only
question seemed to be time-how long it
would be before the place was undermined
and crumbled bodily into the water. 1t
was horrible dread and even with the
strong love of life upon me, could not
help looking with sorrow upon nv gentle
sisters pale face, as she chung helplessly