The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-10-31
SAVED By A DOG,
An Adventure i'm the Marais.

AT the time of which write | had
just been made partner in our house
of business. Until this period | had
been much confined to the counting
house, and it was now considered de-
sirable that l should travel for Il few
months, in order to make the acquaint-
ance of our principal customers, many
of whom We're French. In those DAYS
railroads were unknown, and the dill.
gences slow and uncertain modes of
conveyance. l therefore travelled on
horseback. accompanied by my trusty
dog. Lion.
Lion was my faithful companion for
many years. and once did me good
service, as you shall hear. On one oc-
casion, being bound for Noirmontiers,
my road led through that part of La
Nendee known as the s.Marais." 1t
was then literally marshy tract of
country. thinly populated by an almost
amphibious race. The swampy ground
was intersected by numerous canals
that frequently served rs roadways.
Through these the peasants traversed
the district in tlat-bottomed boats,
called "nioles,' and always armed
with a long pole, with which they
cleared the quagmires or propelled
their boats, according to need.
1t was toward the close of the day,
in the last week in October. The air
felt chilly and damp. A mist hung over
the lowlands, rendering objects invisi-
BILE at short distance On one side of
the road along which l was riding, a
broad dyke flowed sluggishly, on the
other stretched an extensive tract of
heath and Undiscovered ground, brown
and desolate, though here and there a
few blossoms still fingered amid the
dark, prickly green.
found it was vain to think of push
ing on to the coast that night, and l
hoped to come upon some village or
farmhouse where might find rest and
refreshment for my tired horse and
myself. looked from side to side, en-
deavoring to pierce the mist, in search
of some object that would guide me.
At length, little further along the
road, perceived several cows standing
at the border of the dyke. as if waiting,
and on the opposite side could family
discern traces of culture.
There must be ahouse hereabOuts,"
l said to myself; and rs the thought
passed through my mind punt came
gliding over the dyke, impelled by
vigorous push from the pole of a stur-
dy peasant.
The cows, lowing, advanced close to
the edge of the dyke, evincing their
readiness to be ferried across to the
milking-place. AS the punt touched
the bank the bOatman stuck his pole
in the earth and threw a rope round a
stump of alder, while the COWS stepped
on board. Slipping the rope again, he
was about to push off without taking
any notice of my approach, when I
hailed him.
MY FRIEND" said, ''can you direct
me to house where l may find
nights lodgingy'
NO." the man replied, in surly
tone. There are not many houses
hereabouts."
But there is surely farm over
yonder," returned, pointing with my
whip in the direction Of the fields.
Maybe" the man answered; "but
we don't take in strangers at our
place."
Without another word he pushed off
to the opposite side of the dyke, where
the cows landed. and set off leisurely
hOmeward.
"Can you not direct me to some place
of shelter, my good fellow?' I called
out as the man tethered his boat.
He took no notice, but made fast his
punt. Then, with "kup, kup," to
his COWS, he walked away and disap-
peared in the mist.
confess the wish l sent after him
was not a blessing. There was moth
ing for it, however, but to proceed;
waiting in the road was evidently USE
less. touched my jaded horse lightly
with the whip, rousing him from his
meditations, and, whistling to Lion, 1
set forward on my way.
could now only see a very few yards
before me through the increasing
gloom. To be belated in that dismal
country was no pleasant prospect. The
road was in many places quite unpro-
tccted from the dykes, and every mile
that brought me nearer to the Sea-cOast
rendered the country more dreary.
Salt swamps began to alternate with
sandy heath, and the road became little
more than causcway carried through
mOrass, where the slightest deviation
from the beaten track might cause
horse and rider to sink, with little
prospect of rescue.
Now, however, distinctly heard a
footstep behind me on the road, and.
turning, saw a man, who had started
out of the swamp apparently, leaning
pole in hand. Lion growled, but at
word from me he came close up to my
horse. though still uttering low, dis
satisfied snarl.
The man, as 1 could perceive in the
fast-gathering. dusk, was sufficiently
rough h, disreputable figure to excite the
suspicious Of any dog accustomed to
good society. His ragged shirt, open
in 'front.'. displayed his brawny chest.
His coarse frieze jacket was out at the
elbows. Thick-lipped and low-browed,
with his hair hanging in matted locks