The National tribune., 1883-03-29
save himself he was caught IN the eddy, and
whirled round and round like cork.

W.
whirled round and round like cork.
Dolly gave piercing scream as she saw his
mlshap. She stood painting on the bank an
instant as her brother was drawn more and
more swiftly toward the centre of the stream;
then she flew down the bank, and upon the
plank next the wheel.
" They told me not to cross it." she thought,
but must If Will is drowned, i don't care
whether fall in or not"
Wills basket had fallen in with him, and
being lighter than he, had been drawn into the
current first, and was swept down toward her
like rocket. 1t passed beneath her feet,
struck the wheel, and was dashed high in
the air. She nearly tainted as she thought
that this was what must happen to VIII.
Not two minutes after his fall Wills body
came driving down the race toward her. She
uttered another cry, and crouehed down, holding
on to the plank with one hand and extending
the other toward him. The brave girl never
thought that even if she could catch her
brother, the force of his motion would be
nearly certain to drag her in with him.
On he came, striking now one side of the
race and then the other, until he shot directly
toward her. As he was passing, she succeeded
in catching him by the hair with one hand,
while she chung to the framework with the
other. OF course her strength was not suffi-
Gent to have held him up for moment But
the tug she gave him directed his course
instant be was about to be flung upon the
wheel, his arm caught in the framework upon
which Dolly stood, and he was wedged fast
The water tugged and jerged at him, but now
its power only fastened him firmer in the
framework. His jacket was torn off, his hat
was gone, his upturned face was cut and bleed
ing, and his eyes were closed.
Dolly clasped her hands and looked round
for help. She sprang from the plank and ran
mi md
were near the front of the mill on an upper
floor. She screamed to them, but the saw was
going, and they never heard her. She thought
of climbing the high bank and running around
to the front to alarm them. But would there
be time? Any moment Win might be torn
loose, and then help would be too late.
AS she wildly along the bank her foot
struck the rope which held the gate in place.
She stopped and looked up at it. She knew
that If the gate were closed VIII would Do
saved, because no more water could get into
the race, and the wheel must stop.
She caught hold of the rope and tried her
strength upon it. She could not stir the gate;
it took the strength of the sawyer and his
man to raise or lower the heavy planks, and
what could the strength of one poor, half
fainting little creature do with such weight?
If she could unite the knot which held tho
rope, the gate would drop of its own accord.
She tore at the knot until her fingers bled, but
it would not be untried.
She arose and looked around again. viii
was still hanging in the frame work Perhaps
there would be time TO climb the hill and warn
the sawyer. She started at the top of her speed,
but suddenly turned aside with cry of joy,
and sprang toward the fat rock where they
had been fishing The knife with which she
had been cutting up her bread still lay there;
its CLEAN had caught her eye. 1t was very
sharp, and she thought she might cut the rope
with it.
She seized 1t and ran back to the gate Stoop-
ing down she pressed the blade against the
tightly strained rope with all her might. There
was sharp swapping sound, then the rope
parted with duh report, and the gate splashed
heavily into the water.
The knot of the parting rope had struck
Dolly a violent blow, and her cheek was cut
open to the bone. But she crawled to the edge
OF the race and looked over. The gate was IN
place, and the water was rapidly lowering;
already the wheel had stopped, VIII was
savedl
The sudden stoppage of his saw had aston
ished the sawyer and Dolly saw him thrust his
head out of an upper window.
You yixen!" he cried, what have you been
doing?"
Saving will," said Dolly, family. "He
fell into the race, and cut the rope and let the
gate fall Oh, come down and help him out,
please !"
What with her cut and her fright Dolly was
so weak that she could not move, but lay upon
the edge of the race, while the sawyer and his
man drew VIII out of his dangerous position.
He was yet insenSible, and his arm was broken,
but he was alive and in no danger of dying.
Safe, Dolly!" cried the sawyer, as he came
up carrying Will Jump up and run ahead"
Dolly rose and tried to do as he told her, but
she was so weak and sick that she staggered
and fell down again.
"Why, the poor darling is hurt tool" cried
the sawyer to his man. Lift her up, Jim, and
carry her into the mill. Cheer up! that's
brave girl; we'll have you safe home in jiffy."
81 don't mind" said Dolly, with q faint
smile. 1T dent hurt much. / am glad
VIII is safe l don't feel anything"
The two children were carried into the mill.
The sawyer then harnessed his horse to the
mill wagon, and, making soft bed of sawdust
in the bottom of it, laid Dolly and VIII upon
it and carried them home.
Will was sick for many weeks, but Dolly was
out in day or two. The sawyer told every
body what had happened, and Dolly was very
much astonished by what people said of her.
The village paper had long account of the
accident, in which it spoke of Dolly as hero
inc" and a " brave little woman" Dolly could
not understand why so simple matter as do
ing your very utmost TO save the life of one
you love should be thought so wonderful.
VIII never forgot what his sister had done
for him, and years afterward was fond of tell
ing the story of the old mill, and of asserting
sister Dolly.-Harper's Young People.