The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1875-11-11

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men would have known that something bad
happened and come for US, bat there 40
chance for that now"
At this Harry and Ja.k began to cry,
md even Mrs. Allen looked dirmayed.
'Staying here to night is out of the
question" said Mr.. Allen. Eve must
get home somehow. We haven't mar.
eel to eat, and every honr we stay makes
it verse. We're in for h ne storm. and
and the road half the way from here te the
turnpike will Le under water within twelve
hours"
What shall we do theni" asked Tom,
who was holding his dripping coat before
the b.axe.
Mr. Allen shook his head.
off it was fair weather / shonid know
what to do qnick enough; and l don't
know but we shall be obliged to come to it
anyway" ~, SO 8
"Why, what DO you mean, fath-rf"
a.ked Mrs. Allen anxiously
He pointed to the river.
IL should take tina. shingIe- raft lying by
the landing 1t is staunch and strong and
just as safe a any boat that ever huatcd
on the ST John river"
Mrs. Allan had sll woman's dread Of
she .er, and her heart sank at once
But the idea of being compelled to remain
two or three davs in that desolate spot
without food or a chance TO sleep VAS more
dreadful yet and she felt almost like urg-
ing her husband to carry out the desperate
idea he had announced.
"We've got to decide on something very
quick" continued the farmer eth be
dark in an hour aud then We shall hay-
40 choice"
He went to the window and Looked our
moment on the river. Then he came
back to the stove
''It storms iearf, llv, but then we're
pretty nigh az wet as we can be now. be
Iieve we can keep in shore without much
trouble, and at the rate the stream is now
running We thould reach Woodstock in
less than an hour. I've done it in worse
weather than thi~."
Il shouldn't be afraid myself" said
Tom; "bu, th'n there's mother ana tie
children. to think of"
"I'm not afraid, Tom" said Mrs Allen
"And even If were / believe it's tie only
thing we can do"
well try 1t. then" said Mr. Allen, 1e-
eide ly. Come, Tom, we've no time 10
lose. See there is rope enough in the cor
ner for coil to throw ashore when we Get
to the laniirg at Woodstock, and put the
paddle aboard. Let me take the baby
mother. Now boys, jump on There's
room enoupb for regiment You'll have
10 make mp vour minds to strrd good
dpni Of water the next hour. Pu.h her
off ~
The raft swung slowly round from IT,
iastenings. rnd in another minu.e struck
the shnre current, which, though less sw ift
than that in the middle OF the r'ver, was
vet SO strong ms to make safe navigation
difficult task. The rain came with sucil
force that it WAS almost impossible to
ace the shore, and the increasing dusk
threatened TO grow into total darkness BE-
fore the end of their perilous journey WAS
renched
1t was bearlv 'hree-quartrrs or an hour
from the time thev lef, their starting point
when the raft touched TIE landing place Mt
Woodstock, and TEN. rope in hand,
jumped on shore. 70 throw the loop over
the post which Ird always stood there.
To bis dsmay the posi- ~ns gene, and ~
he raft swept along he felt the rope slip
through his fl gers spight Of his endeav
orr to huld it. There was another pcint
lower down where the raft might strike.
If his father could KEEP it crt cf the cur
rent hv his single arm. Beyond that the
river made a sudd tend, and if the land
i.g should lie missed there. no power could
keep them from going down The river.
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