The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-28

combined strength of the old man and the
boy produced not the slightest effect upon
her, and no wonder; for all the strength
they could command was but weakness
compared with what was needed, 49,
1t was very unfortunate situation. par
ticuiarly as they had only provisions
enough to last a few days. and knew not
where they were to obtain more Then. too,
as it was now the month of October, no
more high waters could be expected that
year, and, in the meantime, the river would
be apt to fall lower and lower, leaving their
boat high and dry.
In going ashore to cut hts lever, Uncle
Phin had discovered q road running par
allel to the river. Now, he proposed to
walk down this road until he came to q
house, in the nope of obtaining help, pro-
vided Arthur was not afraid to remain alone
and look after the ark.
OF course Arthur was not afraid. He
scorned the iiea. What should he be afraid
Of? 1t was not likely that anybody would
hurt little boy like him. So Uncle Phin
left him, and wading ashore, disappeared
down the forest road.
For some time the boy amused himself
about the boat; but his resources were few.
and after an hour or so he grew lonely,
and began to watch anxiously for Uncle
Phin's return. Exposed to the full glare
of the afternoon sun, the boat became as
hot as an oven, and finally the boy decided
to take his book and wade ashore There
he would find comfortable place in the
cool shade of the trees, from which he
might the sooner perceive anybody ap-
preaching along the road.
He found just such place as he had
longed for; q deliciously cool, shady glade
surrounded by spreading oak trees, and
commanding q limited view of the road.
After sitting here for some time, he discov-
cred that there we're ripe berries on the OPP
posite side of the glade. When he had
gathered and eaten these he saw more ber-
ries beyond them, and still more at great
er distance. There he found some lovely
flowers, and thought it would be q fine
idea to gather enough of them to decorate
the cabin of the ark against Uncle Phin's
return. SO he strolled carelessly on, from
berries to flowers, and from one flower to
another, until, all at once. the deepening
shadows aroused him to knowledge of
the fact that the sun was setting and that
he could no longer see either the road or
the river.
1t was evidently high time to be getting
home, and the boy started back in the
direction he had just come. He was GER
tain that it was the right direction, and
yet the trees and bushes kept getting
thicker and thicker, and he missed the
open glades through which he had been
strolling. This was clearly the wrong
track, and, facing directly about, he now
attempted to retrace his latest course
1t was rapidly growing dark. strange
night sounds were beginning to be heard
in the forest, and great dread began to
clutch at the boys heart. Was he really
lost, as the Babes in the Wood had been,
and would he die there. and be covered
with leaves, SO that even his body would
not be found, and nobody would ever know
what had become OF him?
He began to call aloud. but only the for
est echoes Knocked him, and the night
birds answered him with harsh cries. At
length it was too dark to even try and
walk any farther. The little fellow, fright
ened and weary, sank down at the foot of
great tree that seemed to lean over him
with an air OF protection and sympathy.
He would not cry. Uncle Phin said that
none of the Dales ever cried after they were
grown up, and he was q Dale, almost
grown up. Two or three big tears rolled
silently down his cheeks, but then that
was something that might happen to m ost
anybody at that time. It could not be-
counted as crying.
As he sat there in the darkness, trying
to be brave because he was Dale, the
sound of peculiar, long drawn, far.awayI
cry, caused him involuntarily to look
around; though, of course, he did not ex-
pect to see anything through the darkness.
He did see something, though, and it was
light. 1t was not bright, clear light,
but dim glow, just visible between the
tree trunks, and evidently at quite dis
lance from where he sat.
The boys spirits rose with bound. He
dashed away the stealthy tear drops, and
sprang to his feet. Things were coming
out all right after ALL for light meant
people, who, according to simple-hearted
little Arthur's experience of the world,
would be kind to him. They would prob
ably invite him to stay to supper, and show
him the way to the ark afterward. Then
he would ask them to help him and Uncle