The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-11-13

push off into the stream.
| had accompanied them thus far
merely as an act of courtesy and to wish
them good luck, but it then occurred to
ne that by going over with them,
could attend to certain business in the
opposite village and save journey at
some future time for that purpose only.
AS l stepped into the boat l noticed
an expression of surprise ON the faces of
my recent guests, and in a moment, in
fact, before had taken my seat, one of
them asked "if 1 intended to 60 too,"
and upon my saying that l did, and Civ
ing my reasons for having changed my
calculations, the other inquired, rather
sharply, 'if couldn't arrange my mat
tiers at some other time"
"Oh," replied, 81 hardly supposed
it would make any difference to you, SO
/"
eyes, but we have special business on
the other side,' interposed Gordon.
''Then | shall not trouble you after
we leave the boat" l answered, for by
that time I was somewhat provoked,
and Immediately added, "Pull away,
Tom"
Tom did as directed, and the long,
strong sweep Of his oars for he had
grown to be powerful fellow during the
time he had been with me) was soon
placing a goodly distance between us and
the Canada side.
Although l could see that my presence
was anything but agreeable to my late
guests, yet we were soon talking about
the probabilities of having clear day
on the morrow, ETC., and would have
thought no more of our little difference
at the start, had not my previouly
awakened suspicious caused me to notice
particularly, everything that was said
and done by them.
When about two-thirds across the
river, Gordon (more to keep up the con-
versation than anything else, ] thought)
asked if | had any tobacco, and, upon
being answered in the negative, turned
with the same question to Thompson,
who replied that he had little Kahn
tuck"
Hardly had the words been uttered
when terrific yell, rivaling that of
Comanche Indian, came from the boat,
followed by loud splash, and-Tom
was gone
In the growing darkness it was i'm
possible TO distinguish him from float
ing cake of ice Whether he had struck
one and was stunned, or whether he vas
held down by one, was equally uncer-
tain. az no answer came from my frantic
and oft-repeated, Tom, Tom, where
are you 2
MY attention was now drawn to my
remaining companions. For moment
they could not understand the
turn affairs had taken, but when
they fully realized the full import of
what had occurred, their rage was with
out limits. Language utterly failed to
express their chagrin that Tom should
have escaped when they could have Sc
cured him so easily (for l new under
stand the true business of these "lumbsr
dealers from Vermont" and recollected
that two or three months before South
ern gentleman, upon seeing Tom, inquired
particularly concerning the circumstances
under which l had emplo i him.)
Nothing was left for u to do but to
reach the shore. which We did after a
short pull at our oars. After the first
burst of anger, my companions main
tanned logged silence, and as we
touched tbs shore were joined by two
other lumber dealers who appeared to
be expecting them. They lett me with
out word, and were soon lest to view.
AS | could not think of returning at
night, alone, l went at once to the
house of friend, to whom | related the
whole affair Aftei talking the matter
over, we concluded that we could render
Tom no assistance that night, and that
the best course to pursue was to keep
the matter quiet for few days, and see
if he would not turn up On the Canada
side AGAIN This was more than likely,
as he was a capital swimmer, and as un-
concerned under boat as in one gen
orally.
On the following morning | crossed
the river and came directly to the
house How to account for my being
alone was problem that l was called
upon to solve. Tom would be missed at
once was confident of that, and
whether it was advisable to tell the
whole story at once or to explain his