Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1891-10-30


sibly be effected. TO attempt to cross im-
mediately below the weir would be simply
suicide.
The crowd followed breathlessly on the
top of the bank, watching the daring rider
below: Not one man or woman there had
the faintest hope that he would reach the
centre of the river alive. True, the river
had spent its greatest fury now that IL
was released from its narrow bounds; but
the current was still swift and strong, and
branches of trees and wreckage were be-
ing swept along. No man, the villagers
Thought, unless aided by supernatural
power, could live in that stream.
Sir Philip had paused now. He bent
over his horse and patted his neck, and
then lifted his right hand toward the
heavens. The next moment the noble steed
plunged into the river, and great cry
went up from those who saw the gallant
deed; aud the women fell upon their knees
and prayed aloud for the doomed lord of
Darrell.
1t did indeed seem as If Philip Darrell
had merely rushed upon death-the strong
current swept horse and rider downwards
for some distance, and 1t was only with
difficulty the noble animal could hold his
own.
"Bear up, my HassanW cried Darrell
encouragingly, caressing the arching neck.
The Arab obeyed the guiding hand, and
turned athwart stream; they were half
way TO the center now, and Hassan was
painting, but struggling valiantly. Darrell
called TO the noble horse TO strive yet
little while. When they had reached mid
stream, Hassan's powers were failing, and
his breathing was labored and distressed.
"My brave steed my hope, my life, do
not fail me now ~ cried Darrell, in agony.
GA little longer, Hassanl There-another
effortl We shall reach the bank-we shall
save her, my HassanV
Clouds had yelled the moon, and the
people OH the Scarth Abbot shore could no
longer see the two battling with the wa
tiers. The dark eyes that saw them from
the Mill for q moment after the first
plunge, lost sight of them when the tide
carried them down, and lima prayed fer
vently that her lover might be saved from
the terrors Of the flood.
The moon came out again. Where were
theyr The villagers asked themselves
Had horse and rider been engulfed in the
rushing rivery Was the curse fulfilled
thus, and had the life of the last Darrell
paid the exacted tributei No; they could
see that horse and rider had reached what
horse was swimming still; but the water
was just over the saddle-girths. In another
moment the horse stopped with dropping
head. They could see Dark Darrell bend
ing over him. He seemed TO clasp his
arms about the horses neck and cry Of
JOY and Thanksgiving went up. 1t reach
ed the brave riders cars, and lie sent up
an answering shout of triumph. The
horses feet had touched ground. lie had
won the mighty battle; and trembling and
exhausted, he had stopped to rest and
gather fresh strength.
But the peril was not yet past. The
Mill had to be reached. II was still stand
| ing. For only moment did Sir Philip
suffer the horse to halt; then turning him
back towards the Mill he rode EDWARDS,
the water still washing up TO the saddle
| girths. 1t was impossible to exceed
walkng-pace; and in every second OAR
! rell lived an hour OF agony. At any mo-
ment the Mill might collapse before his
eyes, carrying with it its hapless prisoner.
As he drew nearer Sir Philip perceived
IL would be necessary to swim again to
reach the Mill. The current too, grew
stronger every minute, augmented here
by the weir. Was he to lose all when IL
was nearly within his grasp? Hassan's
great power Of endurance had been taxed
to their utmost. The brave animal could
do little more. He could scarcely keep
his feet against the wash OF the food !;
but he struggled on, still on, urged by his
masters voice and cheered by his loving
touch.
"0ne moment more my Hassan-one
momenti Oh, heaven. have mercy yet,
and spare her till l come! Hassan, my
brave, my faithful, you cannot fail me |!
Strive still, my noblest, my best! So, once
more! All, Heaven, give us aidV
The horse was of his feet, swimming
for dear life. He had no breath for the
answering whinny to the voice he heard
but family, for his powers were fast fail
ing. Horse and rider were close now /;
the Mill was above them. Darrell rose In
the stirrups, and, putting up his hand, he
found that he could almost touch the lin
tel of the firSt-story window. lie shouted
aloud. Was that an answering cry from
within-her voicey The brave steed APP
peared to know his errand, and made one
more effort. Now Darrell grasped the
Intel, raised himself, and stood Oh the
sill. Yet even in that anxious moment
his noble companion was not forgotten
A bitter sob burst from the MANS heart as
the pathetic eyes OF the gallant steed
| looked up at him, ana then the HOOD car
ried the noble Hassan downwards. He
could strive against it no longer; but still,
with the instinct Of self-preseryation, he
struggled to keep afloat; and Darrell rails
ed his locked hands to Heaven and ut
tered passionate prayer for the brave
and faithful life that had been almost
spent for him.
Then Sir Philip-it was scarcely Sec
odd that he paused--sprang down into
the Mill, and called Ilma's name; and the
| answer came back
"Philip, Philip, am herew
He dashed up the narrow stairway to
the floor above. What was that, that fash
ed across the broad shaft OF moonlight
pouring through the unguarded Window
A mans figure, crouching, hiding, and
ready to spring.