The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-06-26

of their perilous journey was reached.
1t was barely three quarters of an
hour from the time they left their start
ing point, when the boat touched the
landing place at Woodstock, and Tom,
rope in hand, jumped on shore to throw
the loop over the post which had always
stood there.
TO his dismay, the post was gone, and
as the raft swept along he felt the rope
slip through his tiners in spite of his
endeavors to hold it, There was an
other point, lower down, where the raft
might strike, if his father could keep it
out of the current by his single arm.
Beyond that the river made a sudden
bend, and if the landing should be
missed there, no earthly power could
keep them from going down the river.
He hurried to the nearest houses of
the village and gave the alarm, and then
flew down the street, which ran parallel
with the river, to the lower landing
He was Just in time to see his father
spring from the raft, holding the rope !;
and, rushing in the water up to his
waist, caught hold of it to assist. Their
united strength babe fair to bring the
raft into the eddy, and the shouts of
the rapidly advancing men, who had
been reused by Toms brief warning,
gave them additional energy. Two
minutes later half dozen strong arms
were aiding them, and the raft was
slowly drawing to the shore, when the
rope suddenly parted.
With a wild scream the mother rose,
with her baby in her arms, as if to
plunge into the river. Then, seeming
to remember the children who chung to
her garments, she sank down again, and
the next moment the fierce current had
swept them away in the darkness.
There was but one hope more. If
the ferry, five miles lower down, could
be reached in tine, they might be saved
andi the almost distracted father and
son, mounted on horses provided by
sympathizing friends, galloped there.
To late The ferry-keeper had seen
some black object rush by in the dark
ness, and heard cries for help, which he
was unable to give. They were in the
hands of God, and he only could help
them.
All that night farmer Allen paced the
floor of his desolate home. The friends
who came to comfort him found their
endeavors vains. He wished to be alone
with his sorrows Tom had remained
at the ferry determined to take a boat
at early daylight and follow down the
river.
There was little sleep that night in
Woodstock, and long before the usual
time for the village to stir, little groups
were abroad in the rain discussing the
sad event of the preceding evening
Suddenly there was Il stir in the direc-
ton of the little telegraph office and the
operator who slept there, came rushing
out with a sealed envelope in his hand,
in state of great excitement.
"Who'll carry this over to farmer
Aliens? p he shouted.
"What is it Any newsl Is it about
any of his folksl"
HELL tell you. It's his news. I've
no right to tell you. l wish l had
Who'll take it I"
81 will. | will r exclaimed half a
dozen, eager to be the bearer of the
news.
The message was entrusted to one of
the fleetet footed boys of the village;
who sped over the mile which lay be-
tween the office and farmer Aliens like
a greyhound.
"Here's something for you" he painted,
as he burst into the house without
knocking.
The farmer took 1T mechanically, with
out thought that it concerned those
whom he already looked upon as in
Heaven. Breaking the seal, he opened
the folded slip of paper and glanced at
its contents. Then with fervant
"Thank God - he fell upon his knees,
and the feeling SO long bent up found
vent in tears of thankfulness.
The message was brief one. 1t read:
FREDERICTON, N. B., April 10.
JOHN ALLEN-Your wife and children
were picked up at light this morning, on
"a shingle raft, three miles above this