Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1888-05-19

flowing into slight depression between
the hills. formed little cove
+ There we two stepped into the frail
craft and were laup ched upon our perilous
voyage We shot into the current and.
/ with whirl and plunge. were off like
racer.
All that could te done was to Keep her
bow righted and take diagonal course
down stream. Fortunately, there was
but little drift running at the time, the
most dangerous masses having been
toated of earlier in the day
1t was with intense anxiety that we
passed the md current. and drew near
our destination. Our only hope was to
grasp the boughs of the nearest tree.
thus breaking our speed, till we could
brlng to anchor at the lower tree where
the children were Closer, closer we
drew and rising to our feet made a
simultaneous movement to grasp the
branches. The impetus thus given to
the boat was too great, it swung around
and, before we could recover our balance.
shot from under our feet and went
spinning away in the distance. leaving
US haltsubmerged. clinglng to the tree.
BY a desperate effort we scrambled
and dragged ourselves up from the water
into the higher branches There we
were. not more than twenty wards from
the children, but as helpless as they
AS soon could recover breath called
out Well Charley, my boy How
goes its''
80. Mr. Burke Is that you2 I'm so
glad and so sorry" came in faint.
hoarse voice. 'Do you think we shall
ever get away from here7' he continued
g; ndoubtedly,' ] responded. with a
confidence was far from feeling myself
''0ur friends over there will not leave us
here to die, Only have patience till the
waters subside''
II could stand it, sir, but poor little
Ruth. Oh, YOU don't know how she
means and shivers all the time!' he said,
with a sob.
1t was pitiful Faint with hunger,
chilled to the bone. we knew she must
succnmb unlcs, aid soon reached her.
We could give them nothing but empty
words of cheers. Presently came a
, "1alloo." and then the knel to our
hopes
''Hold on patiently there, We are
! going to build boat and come for YOU,
, but we can't hope to reach you for some
, hours.
There was no help for it. We mus,
! cling, cramped and sore and cold as we
; were, to that slight resting rlace through
? the long hours Of waiting Calling tc
Charley, we bade him secure himself by
!, means of his strong suspenders 70 the
r tree.
l In little while he told us he had don.
, this, and he added that Ruth was asleep
Soon, from his failure to answer OIL
> calls, we concluded that he, too, was I'M
1 conscious.
SO passed all that day, and night
again came on AS dusk deepened,
great fires we're lighted on the shore
E and these, with the cheerful message.
sent at intervals BY our friends on shore
| were all we had to inspire us with hope
e 1t is useless to attempt description O.
, that night NY companion and | hac
all we could do. slapping and shakin,
one another to keep up proper circua
4 ton, and to avoid falling asleep, for t
sleep would have been fatal Then tn,
. Knowledge Of the death and horrors tha
: the treacherOus waters under US con
= cealed added to the dreadful torture o
the passing hours.
But they did pass, and we finally heare
t the growing of cocks from the distan
n farms. then saw the gray bars Of light il
e he east and knew that dav was break
i ing
As soon as it was fairly light we saw
e boat containing two figures putting OF
e from the shore toward US We watched
Their approach with intense anxiety. am
0 lwere lust able with our stiffened limbs t
n lowe, ourselves into the boat when
e reached our tree
z Here we avalel ourselves Of the war;
! wraps and stimuants they brought. the
q rllded on to seek the other sufferers
There touching sight greeted Us
6 Half-suspended by the. strips that honn
: them. they had sunk into he fork Of tn
/ tree clasped in each others arms Th
6 bow had taken OF his coat and wrappe
0 it carefully about his sister, and by h
position had evidently been trying Z
G shield her with his own body from h
y cold wind.
Vain protection She was dead an
: he insenslhle to il al
:: The hcers with which our friend
:. welcomed US back were suppressed vhe
Il the still forms were seen IN the botto,
;. Of the boat.
We made resting place for tie lit
;, one away from the ratn ari cold IN Il
q oli cemetery. The devotei broth
s struggled long hetwecn llfe and death
II the 1llre-S that followed 'thls cxpcrienc
e When n recoye,ci. III was adopted a.
+ educated le'ntiy i. he doctor and N
>.lf. The even-s aho,c - ordei alwa'
4 l.r- \ sEaiox 0f saj ~ & III, hjS + e. Tt