Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-09-27

the children into the boat was through
an open window
Not more than half the number were
able to get into the boat. The rest must
wait.
Hadn't you better get in now, Mr..
Professor" asked one of the men when
the boat was ready to push off for the
bank.
''Not as long as there is any one else to
go, Zeb," was Joels firm response, as he
gave the boat steady shove away from
the house.
A half-hour of suspense passed. Then
the dim outline of the boat appeared
through the gloom again.
1.-The boat is full enough" said Joel,
as he tucked the last one of the children
securely into the boat. 1.-THE load would
be too heavy and trouble might come of
it if 1 should get in. I hope the worst
is over anyhow. Even if the water rises
two feet more, I can still find way to
keep out of it until morning, perhaps"
* 'Tain't just the thing to leave you
here" said one of the men, hesitatingly.
Get in, and we'll get through all right, l
guess"
"No," was the quick response. $50
ahead. If you can come for me, all
right. If not"
He paused Something in Mans eyes
awoke tumult in his breast A strange
light shone in them, and as Joel leaned
down from the window toward her, IN
answer to a slight movement of her hand,
she whispered
"Mr. Sherwood, I'm sorry I've made
you so much trouble this winter.
didn't mean it. Will you forgive me?"
The only reply Joel gave was a warm
pressure Of her hand. That was enough.
She understood it. Then the boat
pushed out into the twilight.
But it left behind a very happy young
man, in spite of his desperate position.
After such a confession from Nan, what
could he not venture? Floods could not
sweep the JOY which thrilled him.
But an hour sped by and still Joel
was alone. The water kept rising steadi-
ly till it drove him to the top of the
desks. He noticed that the tide was
coming up much faster than at any time
before. There was no longer such rush
about the house.
Studying the situation for while,
Joel made up his mind that a gorge must
have formed somewhere below him, and
the water, no longer able to run out,
was backing up, leaving him in the midst
of great sea. If this were true the out
look was not at all encouraging.
He peered anxiously out over the
waters for some sign of the returning
boat. Nothing but intense darkness met
his gaze.
Another hour passed. Inch by inch
the river crept up, driving him from place
to place until he was now on the highest
possible point. Now he must quietly
await his fate.
But it was not very heroic to be
drowned like rat, He must do some
thing to save himself.
At length a star glimmered in the dis
lance. Hope sprang up again. Some
one was kinder to him than he deserved.
How slowly the light came. It was
hard battle with wind and torrent.
Suddenly the awful rush came again.
Had the gorge below given way2 Then
heaven save him!
He felt shock. The building trem-
bled. Something had struck it heavily
and it was being carried down into the
raging flood.
1t was time for him to act. To re-
main where he was would be death.
He flung up the window and looked
out. One thing he had learned well in
years gone by-to swim. It seemed al
most madness to think of trusting himself
to such current, but there was nothing
else to be done.
The light was nearing him more swift
ly now, although it was apparently long
way off yet. He bravely leaped into the
surging water and struck out for the
shore.
Something below the surface of the
waves caught him and dragged him
swiftly down the stream. He struggled
with all his might to get away, but in
vain. One of his legs was held as if in
wise. His head whirled.
Then flash of light fell upon him. In
another moment strong hand grasped
his arm. The rays of a lantern lighted
up the face of his rescuer.
It was Nan!
Joel awoke the next morning with a
delicious sense of peace.
There was no pain anywhere. A
woman's hand was ON his forehead. He
was in woman's room. He lay with
his eyes closed, and tried to put things
together. Then he looked up into the
face of Nan.
NJ T L