Arizona republican., 1891-11-29
SAVED THE LEVEE

swept over the banks, carrying fortunes and even lives before them. On one of the big plantations opposite Shreveport every effort was being made to with stand the flood. Hands were collected from every cabin and recruited from all the adjoining places to strengthen the water soaked levees, which shook on the pressure of mans foot.
 It was almost dusk, but the men who had not rested for days worked with the strength of fresh vigor as the voice of Tom Aiken, the planter, directed them and cheered them on to the task which seemed so hopeless as the water crept steadily and steadily higher, But for the fact that every one was busy with his work, little negro boy, who suddenly dropped his spade and stole away betwixt the wheels of the big sand wagon, might have been seen as he sour ried away around the curve in the em- bankment.
 He ran quickly along for full quar- ter of mile without looking back, down the narrow, slippery road that was left between the cotton rows and the levee. The boy slackened his pace when he be- came convinced that no one was in pur- suit of him, and as he did so he heard the loud, cheery voice of Tom Aiken back at the break, "All work together, boysi"
 Huh? All work together" the boy said. "Yessir, but you bet dis here nig- ger done tired CT workin togedder. Ise gwine to sleep, is. an shet my eyes fur two whole days an nights, an gwine round the pint to Aunt Why's an go to sleep"
 In his eagerness to reach the coveted goal the little negro quickened his pace again. It was now almost dark, but his eyes had grown accustomed to the gloom. He could see the curving line of the levee, which seemed to tremble with a premonition of its own inadequacy. He could see all the water pools in the road. His little legs had measured per haps a mile more when the ominous roar of the river made him stop and peer over the levee at the rushing waters
 As he scrambled up the slippery bank a clod Of loOSened earth fell heavily into the road below, and through the orifce which it left little stream of muddy water trickled. The boy caught his breath quickly when the water run over his hand.
 "Lordy!" he exclaimed. "Dere's gwine to be break right here, Lordy! Lordyl what l gwine doy'
 He stopped to reconsider. There was still another mile before he could reach the Point, and he knew there were only a few old women in the cabins there, and he could get no help from that source It was more than a mile back to where the men were working, and he was afraid to show himself there after having run away. Besides there was not moment to lose. What was to be done must be done at once. The boy knew that great responsibility rested upon him. If the littn opening were not stopped immediately it was only a question of few moments before the whole levee would be swept away.
 He stood up and looked about him. There was no one in sight. He thought he might find bag of sand dropped by a passing wagon, but there was none. With sudden purpose he turned and sat down over the little crevice through which the water came. The soft earth yielded to his weight, and with his hands and feet he pressed it about him, batting it to make it firm.
 The difficulty had been solved without his volition almost. It was only after il was done that he thought of the conse. queuces. He calculated in his unreason. ing way that it was o'clock. How long would he have to remain there? Fol aught he knew till morning. He began to suffer by and by from his cramped position, but he dared not move even the least bit lest the creyice would open again.
 He could not tell how time passed. Every minute seemed an hour. He could not hear the shouts of the men below. There was only now and then the hoot of an owl rising above the roar of the water or the swish as clod of earth wal sucked into the mad current. He wished he had not run away from his work.
 He began to get drowsy; his limb: were almost numb. He wondered what would become of him if he should go tC sleep. If the waters should rise up over the levee and drown him and ruin tho cotton, would it make any difference then that he had tried to save it? Ht was inadequate to the problem, the like of which has puzzled graver heads thar his The hooting of the owl grew les and less frequent, the swishing of tho waters fainter and fainter, the pain il his back easier.
 He must have slept some time. Sud denly he was awakened by the gallop o horse on the road below. He was toC weak to move. His voice was almos gone, but as the horse and rider ap proached he cried out with all thu strength he could summon, "Marst Tomi"
 MT. Aiken drew rein quickly ant turned his big lantern in the direction of the voice.
 "Who is it, and where are your h' asked, dismounting.
 "It's me, boss" answered the boy.
 "What the mischief are you doing here. Peter inquired Aiken. peering int the boys begrimed face. Why, yo' are almost buried alive"
 "I runned away from back yonder, the boy answered. 'I seed the levee e breakin here, so stopped"
 "Why, bless the boy" said Aiken "you must be nearly dead. What is t be done? Can you stand it till l rid