Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1889-10-25


aged to get upon the log where 1t sat
and picked and arranged its glossy
feathers until Dicky. at imminent risk
of falling into the water, crawled upon
the cypress and cuddled down by his
side.
An hour later, when ellison and the
trapper McCrory returned to the hill
they noticed at once the absence OF the
skiff, and upon reaching the house
found Mrs. Gibson in despair at the
unaccountable absence of little Dicky.
HE amt on the HILL" she sobbed,
"rve been everywhere, Oh, my oapy
my baby-I jest know he's drowned
or bear has got him!"
faint a bar" dissented McCrory,
I'VE can't fool oil Track! Ell bar
ned ben on the hill he'd II toll it. NO
the kids 10 the skiff. It's gone-tho
how he ever made out tew paddle on,
blest II know"
The current would take him If he
got clear off the bank" eagerly sug-
gested Gibson. as they hurried to the
landing "Ef he stuck ter the boat
he's all right"
.'Yhar's his hat" announced the
trapper. pointing to the little straw
fabric caught in a clump OF bushes.
Come, brace up, Miss Gibson! faint
no sign the boys in the water jest
kase his hat is. Whar's that Billy
duckp-don't know, eh?-well l dew.
He's with the boy. an that's sure
sign that they're both all right. III
Dicky warn't thar, the duck would
come back.
There was sound logic in this rea-
soning, and both his hearers knew it.
McCrory and ellison sSrang into boat
end pulled out from the landing.
Let her float with the current, !"
said the trapper, Its slow way. but
the only safe one. Let that paddle
alone. Gibson; yer excited like, an
might guide her wrong. Ef | strike a
straight shute whar | kin gain time
I'll sure gain it."
1t was the only course to pursue.
Every thing depended on following ex-
actly on the trail of the missing boat
To miss 1t either way meant death to
tn poor lost baby-death by starva-
| rfon or drowning.
Suddenly McCrory leaned forward
and caught Gilson's arm.
Not a world Silence; see him, but
II you want ter save his life be quiet.
Look yander ter Their left"
A floating cypress, with boat tan
gled in the vines beside it, A sleep
ing child crouched upon the rough
bark, his shoulders resting against a
supporting branch. In his arms
Rugged up to his breast, little white
duck, that watched the intruders with
bright and curious eyes; and over head.
something
ellison paled and gasped for breath
my God!n he breathed hoarsely, ii.
the child dead or sleepingP"
"Sleepin' as yet"-gritted the trap
but eff he wakes, an moves, it is
DEATH
1t was terrible sight-the sleeping
unconscious child, and coiled on ;
branch foot above his head, slim,
hideous serpent-a monster swami
moccasin.
Your rifle" whispered Gibson
surely you can kill the snake withou
the boy. I'd try it-but-my God! In
shaking like leaf"
'Its an awful risk" murmured tn
other, mot of hittin' Their kid thar
no danger OF that--but eff Their snak
amt hit in the head he'll sink tootl
in the lad jest fer spite"
'lt's the only way" persisted tn
anxious father, you must shoot, an
at once. Heavensl if the boy shout
mover
"lt's mighty nigh like bein' my ow
kid murmured MoCrory. and hi
hand was seen to tremble visibly as h
drew back the hammer of the riff,
3 "Pardner, KANT dew it,"
Course it. you must; don't fail IN
now Ed McCrory! Your hand is stead
I enough when no one is concerned bl
, yourself Didn't l see you shoot
Q pistol out of Jack Sny's hand whe
your lie depended on ltF
But | was mad then. aud when II
= mad kin shoot Their best"
A strange CLEAN shone in Gibson
eyes for a moment
q "You are coward. Ed. McCror,
e A coward aud horse-thief like you
y father before youl Give me the gu
d and | will shoot the boy through Il
headl BY the gods, he shall not fall
prey to that devil yonder; give me Il
: gun, and when it is all over | wi
: settle with you for going back on
II friend in trouble"
But the trapper showed him bac
and again the rifle was raised al
II this time not Il tremor agitated Il
y long barrel. Yet in the short spa
l. that had elapsed affairs had assum,
IL q more fearful shape.
e The child had awakened, and caug
% sight OF his father, and was rising
his feet. and the hideous fangs abo
IS were barred for the fatal stroke.
= Would McCrory never fire? An
Is stants delay just now might mean I
difference between safety and deaf
10 Already it seemed too late, for Il
boys head seemed to partially SHE
r that OF the serpent an instant, "a
Is then
" Boy and snake were In the water
nj gether at the crack OF the rifle. al
IA