Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-02
CHAPTER XXv.-sAVED AGAIN.

All our preparations were completed be-
fore we turned in, and so soon as it was
light enough to see our way we set out on
our journey.
Our burdens were pretty equally divided.
carried the cartridges (Which were pretty
heayy) the revolver, one of the rifles, tools,
cooking utensils, and some Irvine, rope,
and nails. Nab absolutely insisted on
carrying the second rifle, and she and
Marian also carried the greater part Of the
provisions. Buttercup, as he proposed,
carried the books in two bags, which he
slung over his shoulder. He could have
carried more, but, though strong, he was
only lad after all, and l knew, from my
experience as volunteer and pedestrian
rambler, that pack weighs a good deal
heavier at the end of march than at the
beginning.
My plan was to make straight for the
sea-shore and follow the coast until we
came to the channel. then follow that until
we found ford.
Failing a ford, meant to extemporize a
raft.
We got on better than 1 expected. The
! tidal wave had opened a broad track down
| to the sea, and the sand on the shore, being
| firm and hard, made very good walking.
| Despite the weight of literature which he
| bore on his back, Buttercup went gayly
| ahead The two women were splendid
! marchers, walking with an even, elastic
| tread, heads erect, shoulders well thrown
back, and looking as if they could go on
| all day long. 1t was all L could do to keep
up with them.
We reached the creek in about three
hours. 1t was very full, the tide being
| just then at it's height. Fording was out
| of the question; swimming with our kit,
rifles, and the rest, equally so; and 1 could
see no suitable timber for raft-making. So
| proposed that we should strike inland
for a few miles, in the hope that by the
| time the tide ebbed we might find a prao-
| ticable crossing.
| Nab concurred; and after short halt
| and an GI-treSco breakfast, we turned our
backs to the sea, and followed, as well as
we could, the course of the stream; but as
| its banks in many places were swampy
and covered with almost impenetrable
brushwood, we had to make several de-
| tours, and for some time we got on very
! slowly.
| Shortly after we resumed our tramp, a
/ bird, of which did not take particular no
tice. flew out of tree.
| THAT is bad sign," said Nab, who
missed nothing.
"a bad signl Why9"
Don't you see that it is magpies"
! Eyes, it is rather like one. 1 did not
know you had magpies in this part of the
| world
"At any rate, we call it maybe"
"Why shouldn't your am sure I have
10 objection. But you have not told me
why it is bad sign
Don't you know that a single maybe
bodies evil?
Zone for sorrow. two for mirth.
Three for wedding, four for q BIRTH
al think 1 have heard something like
| that BEFORE" l said, laughing. 81 once
/ heard an old woman repeat it when I was
a small boy"
''You don't believe in sign and omens"
mo, don't, and am surprised You do.
| Yet why should 1 be- Superstition dies
hard; and your ideas are naturally"
/ Here, feeling that was rather putting my
foot in it, 1 paused for further considera-
! ton.
"Oh, don't hesitate. 1 know what you
mean," returned the queen, in a hurt
voice. eve islanders are backward and
ignorant-our ideas are old-fashioned I