Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-12-25

that they had entered their haven by
observing the tops of trees on either
side OF the narrow channel. Silence
was now their best defence. The
women returned to the gun-boat, but
Eph. remained TO guard against sur
prise. He sat these in the dead silence.
Not a leaf stirred. Not a wavelet
rippled on the shore; not bird chirped
on the trees. while all around hung an
impenetrable curtain of mist. So ac-
customed did he become to the chaotic
stiffness and so sensitive his auricular
saerve, that he was sure he heard q
movement on the island. Then came a
sound of flying steps approaching
through the forest, plunge in the
water, and the painting breath of a
swimmer. 1t was coming straight TO
him. 1t passed so near that he dis
eingulshed the antlered head of stag
making for the mainland, where he heard
it land, and by calculating the time of
it's passage, concluded that he was too
near the island Gently dropping
an oar into the water and
using 1t as a paddle, he lowed the gum
boat across the strait until he found
himself in shallow water. Having thus
widened the distance between him and
the enemy, he sat down TO await the
breeze which would raise the misty
curtain. Night came attended by the
same oppressive silence, and Eph. worn
out with anxiety and fatigue, dropped
into uneasy slumber in which his senses
retained their vigilance while his nerves
relaxed their tension. How long he re-
manned in this state he did not know.
bat soft. balmy touch aroused him.
The stars were shining above and the
wind signing through the tall tree
branches. He stopped for a moment to
listen for other sounds, and sought the
deck Of the gun-boat. Jabe was on
guard.
Get all the help you can to hoist the
sails" said Eph, while | tow her
little off Shore
When the sun arose the little vessel
was dancing over the waves with a
strong breeze on her quarter. But far
astern Jabe made out the blanket sails
Of their pursuers.
"We're safer here than anywhere else
with those red devils on our trail" said
Eph, land as long as they follow us
wen have 20 keep to the water, where
ever it carries us to-"
eve must be near the entrance to tho
St. Lawrence" observed Jabe, land
we'll have to look out for rapids and do
| some fine steering among the islands
But we can hide there or fight to better
adyapfaoa
At noon they found the current in
creasing and met few rocky isles, the
advance guard. as 1t were, of that nu-
merous host which evokes the admira-
ton of the tourist OF to-day. Every
moment the situation became more
serious. The toresail was lowered and
still the little vessel rushed on with un-
impaired velocity. Epb, grasping the
tiller with both hands, found it difficult
TO elude the rocky obstacles which arose
as If by magic in his path, threatening
instant destruction as the price of con-
tact with their iron crests.
There's barge ashore, over there"
cried Jabe, who was fully impressed
with the peril OF the situation. Say,
Eph, do you see ito"
Eph did see it. The beach of the lit
tie island had gentle slope which con-
tinued to the summit and was carpeted
with moss and crowned by tall tree
with wide-spreading branches.
"Stand by for the shockr' Eph shouted,
as he headed the gun-boat for this
haven of safety.
Jabe with rope in his hand sprang
to the shore before she touched, in order
to prevent her from falling off and drift
ing away; but her impetus carried her
well up on the strand where she turned
over on her side, her mast swapping of
close to the deck Then the women and
children crept out, somewhat bruised
by the shock, but thankful for their de-
liverance.
Eph examined the barge critically.
"a good boat" was his comment,
"sound and well built--oars in her. too;
she hasn't been here long; wonder
where she came from. Jabe, she'll be
easier to handle than the gunboat"
Yes" replied the latter; but I'd
like to know IL the redskins are follow
ing us yet"
Inere tree; out none OF us are
in good condition for climbing" re-
marked Eph.
"Jabe, said his wife, don't you re-
member how used to climb apple-trees
when | was girl? If you'll help me a
little | can get up there" Jabe laughed
but finally consented TO help her up into
the lower branches, from whence the
active little woman climbed up higher.
''Jabe, it seems as If some one has
been up here not long since. There's
marks WHARF, the branches are broken,
and-and oh, I've found piece Of
cloth on twig."
1.-THE barge must have brought him,
them" said Jabe; "but where can he
be?"
"Hep' responded Eph; You mean
they Don't you see there's six oars in
the boat? And they're all Frenchmen,
too" he added, referring to tho crew,
not the oars.