The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1891-03-25

600m SC8uC8RcOuo puOUOSEOpuS VI tuo
scene about them. The wind still blew a
gale, and, as they could hear it lashing
the branches of the forest trees, ap-
directly above their heads,
they concluded that they must have
been driven ashore.
Although both Arthur and Uncle
Phin were too excited and too anxious
to go to bed. there was nothing they
could do to improve their situation I'M
TIL the morning light should disclose its
features. So they closed the doors and
windows of their house and lighted the
new lamp. How snug and cheerful the
rude little cabin now looked. How
homelike it seemed, and what a fine
shelter it was from the gale that was
outside.
Arthur: said he was hungry, and, as
Uncle Phin said he was hungry also,
they drew upon their slender store Of
provisions for. a light lunch, after which
Arthur read aloud from his book the
tale4of the Steadfast Lead Soldier. The
old negro thought it very nice story,
though not so good as it would be had
the lead soldier been alive. Then he told
Arthur, for about the thousandth time,
the story of how Brer Rabbit and Brer
Fox went a-6shing; and before it was
finished the tired child was fast asleep.
Then Uncle Phin lifted him gently into
his bunk, and, finding that the gale had
subsidized almost to calm, concluded to
90 to bed himself.
So the ark was again left to take
next awoke, it was not only broad day
light, but nearly noon. They now dis
covered that their craft had indeed been
driven ashore, on the same side of the
river that they had left the preceding
evening, though of course many miles
below the pumping station. There were
now no houses in sight, nor any traces
of human beings; nothing, so far as
see, but thick forest. After
a few Intellectual efforts, they found
that it was useless to try and push the
ark off with poles into deep water. She
was hard and fast aground, and they
could not bulge her single inch.
So they decided to have break
fast first, and make up their
minds what to do afterwards, and while
Uncle Phin prepared the simple meal,
Arthur made the beds, and swept out
the cabin with his fine new broom of
birch twigs,
After breakfast, or rather after dinner;
for, although they did not know it, it
was past one o'clock before they finished
their meal, the entire crew of the ark got
overheard to examine her situation.
They found she had grounded on
sandbar that afforded her an easy rest
ing place, but which also held her in
firm grasp. Uncle Phin cut down
young tree, trimmed off it's branches,
and, using it as lever, with large
rock as a fulcrum, tried to pry the boat
of the bar; but to'no purpose. The COM
bined 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.
1t was a very unfortunate situation.
as they had only provisions
enough to last q 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 his lever, Uncle
Phin had discovered road running par
allel to the river. Now, he proposed to
walk down this road until he came to
house, in the hope of obtaining help.
provided Arthur was not afraid to re-
main alone, and look after the ark.
OF course Arthur was not afraid. He
scorned the idea. What should he be