Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-04-24
SHOOTING THE BASIN
FROM THE STORY. OF 81 4 TOM BOY" IN oil
YER oPTIc's MAGAZINE.


, Small's paper mill. not very extensive
affair but which employed dozen men an(
as many girls. In the middle of the river
, about quarter Of mile above this mill
was small island. sce~cely twenty feet il
,, circumference. on wh,h fiourished wild
growth of unproducti bushes, with one
solitary sentinel of a tree in their centre
and above this was the Basin. Into this
basin, after a winding flow of ten or twelve
miles, increased by several minor streams,
the water poured with considerable power.
1t lay in the form of a heart, 50 often de-
picted on valentines, or moulded in sugar
for the sweet-toothed 1t was about thirty
feet from bank to bank, and about the same
distance from the point of entrance to the
island, which, shooting into it, gave it a re
sembance to the emblem of affection. Di-
yided by this island, the water swept along
on either side in strong, swift currents.
When Harry Thompson, leader of tine
boys of Cleyerly. had exhausted all the
known means of amusement, his daring
spirit suggested a difficult feat, calculated to
carry dismay to the hearts of his followers,
and cause uneasiness to those parents who
had an interest in the safety of their child
ren. lie not only suggested it, hut himself
performed it, and succeeded in inducing
few of the,boldest To follow his example
This feat was known a shooting the Ba-
sin Into the winding river he launched
a log, of which there were many lying along
the banks, mill-hand being employed at
this point to draw them ont of the stream.
Upon this lac stepped. with long, narrow
strip of board to serve a. rudder, with
which to guide his craft. The force of the
stream swiftly carried him into the basin
and towards the island. 1t was only neceS-
Sary TO keep ''her head" straight, and tine
| Island was reached.
lie accomplished the feat, well knowing
the danger be incurred; for, had his craft
sweryed either to the right or lett, he would
have been eap>zcd or carried down the
river.
Of course there could be uo returning in
| the same manner But, to prevent his be
coming Robinson Crusoe, 4 tree on the
bank was felled 50 rs to bridge the stream
from the bank to the island and there it
had remained ever since
Becky Sleeper, having seen Harry per
form this feat. had desired To undertake it.
but Harry had strongly objected and the
tomboy having accepted him as a leader,
was obliged to postpone the attempt
Some recent conversations on old sports
between Teddy and herself had awakened a
desire to attempt this feat, and trip TO the
Basin had already been arranged for Mon
day. when the school programme was pro-
mulgated.
4 short session, and Becky'- escape had
made the old arrangement possible and the
young Amazon and her faithful squire were
now on the banks of the upper stream. after
4 quick march, ready to launch their bark~
upon the tide, careless Of consequences.
Now, Teddy" said Becky, ''I'll 60 first;
You must watch me closely. and do just as /
do. You amt scared, ARE you2'
Teddy, to tell the truth, wa- looking
rather anxiousy at the rushing stream, the
broad Basin, and the two loaming channels
beyond. The stream had swollen by heavy
rains. and the feat seemed more difficult
than he had imagined before he set out.
''No. Of course not. " he said, slowly. "lr
You 20, I'm bound To, any way
"Because, if you are, Teddy. you'd better
not try it..
Il will try it, Becky amt A soin' 90
be >tumped by girl.
"All right But don't ycu star, until |
reach the island and be sure to keep your
log pointed right straight at the tree.
While speaking. Becky had rolled short
stout log into the water, picked up 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
Tor the tree, and, carefully guiding her
craft, shot across the Basin, and struck the
island fairly and squarely-
"Iurrah I've done it, Teddy" she
shouted, as She lc4pcd upon the ground.
"All right. I'm comm Hooray go an .
swered Teddy. a. he jumped upon his log. |
which instantly dartcd down the stream. |
Teddy dancing rather lively to regain his /
equilibrium. which had sustained a shock by /.
he sudden dart Of his log. He was 50 |
busily engaged in this manpuvre that he /
failed to head his bark as he should, and, /
instead of going straight across the Basin, |
he swept TO the right.
TEDDY, Teddy, what are You about p"
shouted Becky. Turn her head quick. /
qsick -
But Teddy was frightened. His log was
rolling over and over, and he dropped his
rudder, fell upon the log, and cla-ped it,
with his legs in the water, and round into
the swilter of the two currents it went. very
near the island. Seeing his danger, Becky
ran to the edge of the island, and attempted
TO rescue him. She leaned over, lost ncr
balance. and fell into the stream. Bung-
ling Teddy caught the bushes as he passed,
let the loS go, and pulled himself to land
hut Becky was swept past the island, and
went floating down the river.
Teddy, seeing the danger OF his sister.
shouted Justify Tor help. Two men AZ work
near the bank. ran down 10 the water. saw
the struggling girl, hut could afford no as
sistance, but they started of at a swift
pace for the mill. Becky was an excellent
swimmer. She was not bit frightened.
but struck out brayely in vain attempt To
reach the bank. The stream was strong
rnd swift, and bore her IN faster and faster
toward the dam. Skilfully she kept her
head above water, and struck out to reach
Tcddy's log. which was Just ahead of her.
Fast rs she went, the men flew faster still
1t was a ease of life and death They
reached the mill
"lIelp, help there's girl in the wa
ter -
Men came running ont women ran io the
There WIS wild commotion. but
no attempt at rescue.
1--WE can't help her She must 90 over
the dam 80
- Throw her a rope its her only
chance -
mighty slim chance shes too mnch
frightened to catch it. She can't te say
ed
"She can be saved Quick long,
stout rope"
1t was a commanding voice that spoke,
form that stepped forward
the schoolmaster, Harry Thompson. Quickly
a rope was placed in his hand
''Now, three good, strong fellows. follow
me-
lie threw of his coat, ran along the bank,
winding the rope round his body, and tying
it as he ran. Becky was coming down
swiftly ~ the roar of the dam reached
her ears, for the first time she felt her dan
ger. Instantly all power of exertion for
sock her The terrible dam the Jagged
rocks beneath There was death in the
thought, and shrll scream rang over the
water.
"IIelp, help Don't let me drown,
Don let me 90 over the dam"
Courage, Becky, courage You' shall
be saved" She recognized the voice, even
in her agony.
80 Harry. Harry Save me, save {
ne - !
Still on and on she swept, and the roar !
IF the dam grew louder and louder. 1t {
'eemed to sound in her ears like thunder.
'Now, quick, boys, quick Give me
nlenty of rope, and hold on strong
Harry Thompson kicked off his shoes, and
hrew away his hat. Becky was moving I.
owards him, but ten feet from the bank.
lie measured the distance with his eve.
,tepped back few PAGES, then ran quickly,
md leaped into the water. The best Jump
II in the county had well calculated his dis 7,
ance He struck the water close beside
Becky. lie elasped her quick, she threw +!