St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1874-05-01
Shooting the Basin.
From the story of "a Tom Boy" in Oliver OI
tics Magazine.

side. the middle dam Just above the
schOOl-houSe, and the upper dam at
the corner. Here was located SmalFs
paper mill, not very extensive affair
but which employed a dozen men and
as many girls. In the middle of the
river. about u quarter of Il mile above
this mill. WAS Il small island, scarcely
twenty feet i'll circumference. on which
fourishcd IL wild growth of unprOduct-
i've bushes. with one solitary sentinel
of tree in their centre and above
this was the basin. Into this basin,
after Il winding flow of ten or twelve
miles, increased by several minor
streams. the water poured with consid-
enable power. 1t lay i'll the form OF Il
heart, so often depicted on valentines,
or moulded in sugar for the sweet
toothcd. 1t was about thirty feet from
bank to bank, and about the same dis
lance from the point of entrance to the
island. which shooting into It. gave it
resem blance of the emblem of atfec
ton. Divided by this island. the water
swept currents. When Harry Thomp
sou. IL leader of the boys of Cleverly.
had exhausted all the known means of
amusement, his daring spirit suggested
a difficult feat. calculated to carry dis
NAV to the hearts of his followers, and
cause uneasineSS to those parents who
had an interest in the safety of their
children. He not only suggested 1t, but
himself performed it, and succeeded III
inducing few of the boldest to follow
his example This feat was known as
..Shoo ing the Basin" Into the wind
ing river he launched IL log. of which
there were many lying along the banks.
Il mill-hand being employed ut this
point to draw them out of the stream
Upon this he stepped, with long, mar
row strip of board to serve as II rIldder.
with which to guide his craft. The
force of the stream swiftly carried him
Into the basin and towards the island.
1t was only necessary to keep her
head straight. and the island WAS
reached.
He accomplished the feat. well-know-
ing the danger he incurred : for. had
his craft Swervcd either to the right or
left. he would have been capSizcd or
carried down the river.
OF course there would he no return
ing in the same manner. But. to pre-
vent his becoming il Robinson CruSoe,
tree on the bank was telled So as to
bridge the stream from the bank to the
island. and there it had remained ever
since.
Becky sleeper, having seen Harry
perform this feat. had desired to under
take il but Harry had strongly object
ed, and the tomboy having accepted
him us Il leader. was obliged to postpone
the attempt.
Some recent conversations on old
sports between Teddy and herself had
awakened Il desire to attempt this feat.
and Il "trip to the basin had already been
arranged for Monday, when the school
programme WAS promulgated.
\ short session. and Becky'S escape
had made the old arrangement possible;
and the young Ama>on and her faithful
squire were now on the banks of the
upper stream. after Il quick march.
ready to launch their haIk> upon the
tide, careless of consequences.
Now. Teddy" said Becky, III go
first YOU must watch me closely. and
do lust as do. You amt scared. are
YOU -
Teddy. to tell the truth. was looking
rather anxiouslN ut the rushing stream.
the broad Basin. and the two foamin%
channels beyond. The stream had
swollen by heavy rains, and the feat
seemed more difficult than he had I'M
agined before he set out.
NO. of course not" he said slowly
''If YOU go, I'm bound to, anyway"
Because. if you are. Teddy. you'd
better not try it.
Il will try it. Becky amt a goin'
to he stumpcd by Il girl,
''All right But don't YOU start until
reach the island and he sure to keep
your log pointed right straight at the
tree"
While speaking, Becky had rolled a
short, stout log into the water. picked
up a light slab. and was ready for the
dash. Stepping lightly and quickly on
the log, She pushed it into the middle
of the stream. headed it for the trcc,
and carefully guiding her craft, shot
across the Basin. and struck the island
fairly and sguarcly.
..Hmrah I've done it Teddy '" she
shouted. rs she lcaped upon the ground
''All right. I'm comm. Hooray :.
answered Teddy, - he jumped upon
his log. which instantly darled down
the stream, Teddy dancing rather live
" to regain his equilibrium, which had
sustained shock by the sudden dart
of his log. He was So huSily engaged
in this mauuever that he failed to heac
his bark as he should. and. instead %
going straight across the Basin. he
swept To the right.
TEDDY. Teddy. what are you about ?
shouted Becky. Turn her head quick
quick -
But Teddy was frightened. his los
was rolling over and over, and he drop
ped his ruddcr. fell upon the log. an'
clasped it. with his legs in the water
and round into the swifter of the tive
currents it went. very near the island
Seeing his danger. Becky ran to the
edge of the island. and attempted Il
rescue him. She leaned over. lost he
balance. and fell into the stream
Bungling Teddy caught the bushes a.
he passed. let the log go, and pulle,
himself to land but Becky was swep
past the island. and went floating dow
the river.
Teddy. seeing the danger of his sister
shouted Justify for help. Two men a
work near the bank. ran down to tn,
water. SAW the struggling girl, bu
could afford no assistance : but they
started of at a swift pace for the mill
Becky was an excellent swimmer. Sh,
was not Il bit frightened, but struck on
bravely in Il vain attempt to reach thu
bank. The stream WIS strong ant
swift. and bore her on faster and taste
toward the dam. Skillfully she KEEP
her head above water. and struck on
To reach TeddN's log. which WAS JUS
ahead of her Fast as she went the
men flew faster still. 1t was Il case %
life and death. They reached the mill