The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-03-12

" Let me have this board, quick !" he
shouted, pulling at It frantically; and
we all scrambled ofrwlth huncomprehend-
ing obedience.
In breaking away from the rock the
boat had been whirled about, and was
drifting now with her bow ahead but
already she was beginning to swing
around again, when Sidney Phillips
took the stout board and plunged 1t into
the water at the stern, resting 1t In a
deep notch which had once held the
tiller. Tugging with all his might at
his improvised rudder, he succeeded In
turning the boats head down the stream
again.
But the pulling up of that board had
disclosed new fact. l do not say new
peril, for when death is certain, as 1t
then seemed to us all, nothing can add
to the awful conviction. In breaking
away from the rock the boat had sprung
leak, and the water was pouring in
through the parted joint. We saw 1t,
but never gave thought to 1t until
Sidney cried,--
By Jove! we've spwung leak
Bwandon Ferwean There's two dip
pers in the cuddy. Take 'em and go to
bailing, or she will sink ~
1t is strange to me now with what
unquestioning alacrity sprang to obey
what seemed so useless command If
we were to die, why not as well drown
Ia -
thought of nothing save prompt obed-
ence. There and then Sidney Phillips
was my master. felt that, and obeyed
him.
Ferwean ~ he shouted again. "Quick
] say! Quick What is the mattah
with Ferwean 7"
For the first time he noticed Ferrean's
condition, and he uttered that exclama-
ton in tone of pure astonishment.
Don't waste words on him he's idi-
otic with fright. I've seen fellows in
that condition in the army" said Tom
Revere, as he possessed himself of the
only remaining dipper aud commenced
to bail.
Sidney gave one look of blank wonder
at the groveling figure of Julian such
cowardice was evidently beyond his
comprehension. Then, still straining
at the long sweep with which he kept
us headed Alright he turned to the rest
of us, and, with a look in his face that
was revelation to us all, he said,-
eve have yet one chance for life"
Nobody uttered word, but all eyes
were fixed on him.
" You all know Bwown's mill.hume
above the falls Y' he said.
We all knew of 1.-THE sluice of which
have spoken that carried water-power
to the factory.
"This curwent will carwy us within
ten feet of it" Sidney continued, in the
same steady tones. The watah wuns
through the flume as swift MS these wap-
ids. There must be stwong eddy at
its mouth; and If we can head the boat
that way, we may be dwawn into the
flume. 1t is narwow, and we can catch
hold of the twees, and save ourselves.
I'm going to twy it'
Heaven how sweet life became in
that moment How our hearts leaped
with the quick impulse of returning
hope
Now, then, you fellahs, ball for deah
life" said our commander, Juggling at
bis sweep, as the fierce current threaten.
ed to shift the boat, in spite of his ut
most efforts. "Only keep us afloat, and
we may be saved. If we pass that
flume, though, we're bound to go ovah
the catawact'"
In the midst of our deadly peril rec
ollect how almost smiled at the ghast-
ly righteousness of Sidney Phillips fop-
pish lisp. 1t was not natural defect
but had been SO long studied afiecta-
ton that 1t had become second nature,
and clung to him now in this hour of
his supreme herOism.
But, in other respects, who could have
known Sidney Phillips? All the lazy,
drawling languor of an hour ago had
vanished. He stood there, master of the
situation, with his white face and firm
set lips, with gray eyes blazing, and di-
lated nostrils, holding the rudder with a
grip that made the cords stand out Ike
ropes upon his slim, white hands. The
task he had undertaken was evidently
too much for his strength, and he called
to Harry Blount,-
Harwy, come and help me hold this