The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-08-16

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Roger fastened the note about its neck by q
ribbon from his hat.
Now let him fly" said Roger, as soon as
this was accomplished.
Vida opened her hands The bird plumed
its wing, and plucked uneasily at the ribbon
around its neck; then it flew high into the air,
circled around two or three times, and came
back. Finally it perched upon the farther end
of the boat, turning its glossy neck from side
to side.
"Now what is the matter, exclaimed Roger,
wonderngly,
Il suppose he is waiting for Cushat." said
Vida. Shall let her go?''
ooh, yes forgot. Open the basket quick"
replied Roger.
But when the other pigeon was free they
both kept flying around and above in the most
tantaliZlng manner, always coming back to
stand just out of reach. as though they did not
quite like to go home alone.
81 wish | had that long pole now" said
Roger, as he sat, with his back turned to Vida,
watching the pigeons, II would soon make
them fly home"
Vida heard what he said She sat still for
moment looking thoughtfully at the smooth
long rod half hidden in the rushes about twenty
feet away.
Roger does not know how light l am" said
she TO herself, "Or he would never think the
mud could swallow me. l know can run over
there and back again before he turns around,
and | mean TO try"
Then, without another thought, Vida slipped
ever the side of the boat, and cautiously placed
her two small feet upon hammock of earth,
out of which grew great bunch of long green
PUSHES 1t was quite firm SO she nodded her
head triumphantly, and took step forward.
81 knew it, said Vida, as she hoped to the
next bunch of roots. She progressed very safely
as long as she had the reeds and rushes to sup
port her. But presently Vida came to a bare
place that must be crossed before she could
reach the rod. She looked back at the boat
Roger was still engaged with the pigeons, and
had not missed her.
Vida hesitated only one moment, then
walked boldly out. At the first movement her
foot sank into the mud up to the ankle, at the
next she went down, down, down, Just as Will
Banks had done. She gave one loud scream of
horror
Vida! Vida! where are your" cried Roger,
In alarm, as he turned quickly around. In a
moment he saw what had happened, and with
shout of encouragement sprang from the
boat Leaping lightly from cump to clump he
reached the bare spot and grasping the nearest
PUSHES in one hand, swung himself into the
black Shiny mud TO his sisters side. Fortu-
nately his foot struck against a long slender
root, which offered him slight support With
his disengaged hand he seized Vida's cloak,
and drew her toward him. Then he endeav-
ored to raise her in his arms but at each move
ment the root under him bent more and more
Poor little Vida had sunk almost to her
shoulders, and was so weak with fright that
she was incapable. of doing more than clasp
her small hands over Rogers arm, and look
imploringly into his face And Roger realiz-
ing their danger. closed his eyes and silently
prayed for help.
Minutes which seemed like hours to the
children, passed by. The gray clouds turned
to pink and far off in the west the great golden
sun sank nearer and nearer to the water, but
still no sound of voice or splsshing oar broke
the silence to give them hope.
At last Vida raised her head and said, with
sob, while the tears rolled down her pale
cheeks:
Don't stay here, Roger. I know you could
climb back by yourself if you only would"
Do you think | would be mean enough to
leave you all alone, little Vida9" answered
Roger, stoutly; for although the hand that
grasped the rushes was torn and bleeding, and
the slender root under his feet was bent almost
to breaking, the thought of saving himself
without his sister never entered his mind
l have been dreadfully naughty" said Vida,
after pause. Poor papa and mamma will have
no children now" She gave another little sob,
leaned her cheek against Rogers arm, and
cried silently.
DON'T cry, deaf" said Roger, coaXingly.
Perhaps some one may find the note we sent
by -Goldneck, aud come for us soon"
It's too late, said Vida, the pigeons went
to bed long ago"
Hush p cried Roger, earnestly. 81 hear
sound
That was only the big herons coming back"
answered Vida, hopelessly.
Listen, Vida listen! hear it again. 1t
is our papas voice. Papa oh, papa, come
quick, shouted Roger. Here we are, away
behind the rushes."
Coming" answered their father; and in
moment more the rushes were parted and a
boat appeared, pushed laboriousy through the
mud by Mr.. Lynn and Jerry. They both ut
tered EXPLANATIONS Of establishment and horror
when they saw the plight the children were
in, and, quickening their efforts, they reached
them not moment too soon. For as Mr.. Lynn
bent forward to seize Vida, the root under
Rogers foot snapped, and he would have been
engulfed IN the mud but for Jerrys strong
hand
The pigeon had indeed proved a good mes
senger, and carried Rogers note safely home
1t was discovered just in time to save the chill
dren from dreadful DEATH
Goldneck was returned to the dovecote and
another bird substituted in it's place as a pres
emit for Tom. Because, Roger declared, he
would not part with that one for fortune
and, besides, he says that he intends to turn
it into carrierpigeon in earnest some day
Wtds AiUake