The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-08-06
morhenE tnat rnere was no possTUnrry o,

moihen1 tnat there was no possTUn1ry OF
our reaching land again.
II had on my heavy beaver coat, and
a belt strapped about my waist loaded
with hatchet and cartridges. With
these l should stand no show in the
struggle for life in the water which at
that moment seemed inevitable. dared
not drop an oar to Tighten myself. AT
length looked at my chattering COM
panion and babe him remove my belt.
He did not move, but seemed frozen in
his seat.
In heavens namer cried /, take of
this belt, Dolph. It's heavier than 80
much lead He moved then to obey me,
trembling with the wet and cold. After
some difficulty he managed to reach me,
and with no little effort succeeded in re-
moving my belt, which he laid in the
bottom of the boat
"This seemed a slight relief, yet, us
my strength was fast leaving me, re-
allied that it could be but question Of
a very short time ere the struggle in the
cold lake must begin
"iCan you swim, Dolphy / asked
breathlessly.
"'Not a stroke he replied and then
realized all the more the dangers Of
our position. In such storm it would
be impossible to cling long to the boat
when once it was overturned, as It must
be the instant l should drop the oars.
How long could hold out? Ny hands
were blistered and swollen, while my
arms trembled from weakness caused
by the terrible strain.
Il caught the glance of Dolph's eyes.
There was an appeal IN them, combined
with look of such terror, shall never
forget. He seemed to read my thoughts
and tried to appear cheerful and uncon-
cerned. He even tried to strengthen me
with words Of hope.
Were gaining all the time, he said
In an unsteady voice. Hold out little
longer, Jack, and we are safe-iust a
little longer
"Just little lenger All! l cannot
tell you, Jim, what my feelings were at
that moment, when it seemed that the
last nerve in my body was strained to
its utmost, ready to snap at any instant,
while perspiration poured from me in
streams. Just little longer Icould
not do it. l felt strangely, horribly
weak. In vain tried to nerve myself,
to send new strength into my trembling
arms.
81 cannot stand this, cried husli-
lily. Make ready for the plunge, Dolphr
Hold on little longer, Jack. You
must! We're almost ont Of the pillows.
Hold fast, hold fast, Jackr almost
screamed my frightened companion.
II said not word. l could not speak
again if would; was too weak for
that, and so clung numbly to the oars
and worked them like one in dream.
The waste of mad waters seemed like n
dim, foggy, roaring Niagara, fast re-
ceding in the distance.
"The white face Of Dolph grew less
distinct each moment; then came ter
rible roar, like the crash of thousand
pieces of artillery, and black pail COW
cred the scene. All was over!
Something binding in its glare next
filled my vision. 1t was several mo-
ments before was able to gaze about.
lifted an aching hand and felt beside
me. 1t touched solid earth. ! beheld
several grim faces and the blaze of
fire. Overhead was tent covering.
81 was on dry land surely. At this
moment the face of Dolph bent over me,
and smile filled his eyes, now no longer
strained with an awful fear.
"'You're all right, old fellow he
said, with a hearty laugh. Just as our
skiff struck the shore you fell over like
log and | had some trouble getting
you away from the water. These are
fishermen and friends. Yes, the guns
and ammunition are safe, providing the
water hasn't spoiled them. Please lie
still while bring you cup of hot cof-
fee
"Ah! that was the happiest moment
of my life. How soothing was the
sound of the cracking fire and the smell
of the hot coffee. Under the combined
influence of these Irevived and was soon
out of danger, although it was long
time before / recovered fully from that
( fearful experience. l shall not forget
4 that ride on Forest lake to my (S'ing
| day. Mckinney Merrill in Yam
! kee Blade.