Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-02-12

The storm had passed. so that there
was no longer any lightning to give
them instantaneous photographs OF the
scene about them. The wind still blew
gale, and, as they could hear it flashing
the branches of the forest trees, APP
parently 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 UNI
til the morning light should disclose It's
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
nomelike it seemed. and what fine
shelter it was from the gale that was
bowling outside.
Arthur said he was hungry, and, as
Uncle Phin said he was hungry also,
they drew upon their slender store OF
provisions for light lunch, after which
Arthur read aloud from his book the
tale of 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. Thenhe told
Arthur, for about the thousandth time,
the story of how Brer Rabbit and Brer
Fox went a-fshing; 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
go to bed himself
So the ark was again left to take
care Of itself; and when its inmates
next awol1e, 1t 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 we're
now no houses in sight, nor any traces
OF human beings; nothing, so far as
they could see, but thick forest. After
few Intellectual efforts, they found
that it was useless to try and push the
ark of 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 a
firm grasp. Uncle Phin cut down a
young tree, trimmed off its branches,
and, using it as lever, with a large
rock as 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
they could command was but
weakness compared with what was
needed.
~ was very uniOIbuHdtc oAbudeOh.
as they had only provisions
enough to last few days, and knew not
where they were to obtain more. Then
too as 1t was now the month of October, /
no more high waters could be expected
that year, and, in the meantime, the 1
river would be apt TO fall lower and
lower, leaving their boat high and dry.
In frofup achnra 10 cttf hts 1ovar TTnela
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 4
the idea. What should he be !