Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-03-29

rear. Fanny was looking with bright smile
at bunch of wild-howers which she had
gathered, and Charley was STOPPING over TO
rub his check against Alcofribus whom he
held in his lap, and who responded to this
mark Of attention by licking his masters face,
and wagging his tail.
The road over which the van moved, the
horses going at steady walk, was narrow,
and the foliage met above il, making pictur-
esque vault From time to time the chirp of
birds was heard, or Il squirrel ran with quick
leaps across in front of the horses All this
seemed to delight the children who laughed,
and cried out and clapped their hands Her
nandcz smiled at their vagaries The only
member of the party who did not seem to be
in a cheerful huinor was his wife.
II hope we are not far from where we are
to stop she said, in a complaining tone.
why did we set out so early / am tired
to death Where are we TO stopY"
1T is not far. now" said Hernandez gent
You have no objection, presume, to tell
me Z"
None but l meant it to be little sur
prise. You might guess, think. This coun-
try ought to be familiar to you"
"Of course it is familiar l am not a child
to forget everything. We are near The Cot
tage."
Yes"
II hope we are not to stop there tonight.
| cannot bear the sight Of it. Why was it
ever sold It was an evil day when you in
CURED that debt Who could have persuaded
you to be so weak You never had sufficient
confidence in me to tell me"
"A friend-I could not refuse him. said
Hernandez
vague sound from the lips of his compan-
ion protested against the logic of this re-
sponse.
"Well." she said, coldly, Just as you
please. only say that l hope you will not
stop at The Cottage tonight. 1t would be
too hateful to have those people you sold it
to smirking around me in the house | was
once mistress of.
Il can understand that" said Hernandez
you shall not be subjected to anything so
painful. We shall stop where all will be
agreeable Here is the Little River which l
hope we will be able to cross"
The solicitude of Hernandez as to his abili-
ty to ford the stream which they had now
CONF in sight of. was well founded. 1t was
one Of those picturesque little water-courses
Of the Piedmont region which steal quietly
through the fields and woods, scarcely mo-
mentary obstruction TO the traveller on or
dinary occasions, aud forded with case but,
when swollen by rains really dangerous The
swollen by the storm day or two before. 1t
had overtowed its banks. and galoped furi-
ously by. the waves breaking in foam upon
small island below few yards in width-a
mass Of rock from which grew some young
sycamores.
Hernandez drew rein, and the horses stop
ped.
Well said his companion, impatiently.
Il am afraid the water is too high. said
L sV Ill saaN
and the ford here When the stream is low
it scarcely reaches above a horses knees But
it is out of it's banks from the rain. l must
not expose you and the children to any dan
ger
"Pshaw :" said his wife, you must be
nervous. There is not the least danger, and
] am tired to death"
Hernandez hesitated, looking attentiyely at
the stream.
Il am afraid it would be rsking too much"
he said. Il am not thinking Of myself. For
the wagon to overturn would do me no harm.
/ swim too well for that. am thinking OF
you and the children.
"Oh the wagon will not overturn," she
said, in the same impatient tone Il have n
headache. There is no house within miles of
this place on this side of the stream. You
know the ford"
Hernandez still hesitated
''Yes. | know 1t well. A." he said ''but fords
are changed sometimes by freshets.'
His remonstrances were met by new pro-
tests his companion seemed to be in one of
those humors which induce people to oppose
the views Of others for the sake of opposing
them; and at last his repugnance TO attempt
ing the passage Of the stream was overcome.
He drove down the slope 10 the bank, and the
horses entered the water.
Il was plain that the animals shared the
feeling of their master. They snorted and
more than once turned their heads toward the
bank which they had Just descended, looking
at Hernandez with nm expression in their eyes
which was almost human.
1t was now too late, however, to return.
As they went on the water rose steadily TO the
girihs then TO the chests. then to the backs
of the horses, over which the waves washed.
The animals in fright bounded in the traces,
and reared. Hernandez, cool and resolute,
replied 10y lashing them, At which they darted
forward. The waves swept completely over
them, aud the wagon was lifted from the bot
tom.
The ford has changed" said Hernandez,
in a low tone.
What followed took place in few moments.
The horses, unable to keep their feet, or
breast the current by swimming, were swept
away, and the van with them, Both van and
uoIhth udIltu IbhA lut NlTthLl, Itttutu lllt
mass of rock from which grew the small syc-
nmores mentioned. and were caught there.
The van nearly overturned rested ON one
side The horses, wild with fright, were rear
ing and kicking to oxtricate themselves from
the traces. The woman and children We're
screaming and clinging to the seats. Herman
dez was the only one who retained presence
of mind.
drawing heavy knife from his pocket, he
leaped upon the tongue of the van and cut the
horses from the traces. One of them darted
down the stream. The other, held in the
clutch of Hernandez, could not move He
grasped the bride, threw himself upon the
animals back, and turned his head toward
the van. For n single instant, as he looked
at his wife and children, he seemed to hest
tate. He then held one arm toward the for
mer and said, Come ~
His arm was passed around her waist, he
dragged her toward him, and, supporting her
thus, swan with her to the shore. He then
ascended the bank some yards, plunged again
into the stream, and horse and rider were
swept down toward the van, which was sway
ing TO and fro, and seemed about to be car
ried away.
The animal had not strength to reach the
van. The current was too strong 1t swept
him down he struck upon the rocks. turned
over ON his side, and disappeared. Herman
dez had Just time to throw himself into the
water and grasp bough of one of the syca-
mores. He then drew himself up upon the
rocks. and gained the van, which was treIn-
bling and swayng as the stream beat upon it.
Father and children were face to face, hang
ing as it were between life and death. The
face of Hernandez was as cool and resolute rs
before and some of his brave blood was plain
in the expression of Fanny. She sat perfect
lV still with her nrm arOuud her lrothpr and
was only little pale.
Listen, my childreu,"' said Hernandez,
quietly Il am going to swim to shore with
you. There is no other hope The wagon
will be carried away in few minutes. You
must not cling TO me in the water. Remem-
Der this"
Il will not cling to you, papa said Fan
ny.
My brave little one! Do not be afraid.
will save you"
He passed a strap around both children be-
ueutb tb, arms aud bnpllad Il