Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-03-24
bN ENVIRONMENTS EssOcle1loN 1859.

But here difficulty presented itself,
for he suddenly found that he had
reached a point where the stream was
running with greatly increased swift
ness, and pieces of driftwood were float
ing all about him. In attempting to
swim through these he met with the
greatest difficulty, and now as he
glanced ahead he discovered new peril.
Only short distance below him the
swift current merged into the most dam
gerous rapids, and he was being drawn
into this with increasing rapidity.
Dan cast frightened glance about
him, but he could see no avenue through
which he could escape from the treach-
erous timbers that were now plunging
through the foalning waters on every
side.
He made an effort to raise himself
upon one Of the logs, but it turned with
him and he went down into the water, a
great foaming wave dashing over his
head and almost strangling him. The
next instant he was carried into the roar
ing rapids.
He only had vague remembrance of
being whirled rapidly through the rush
ing waters, of seeing the timbers leap
ing wildly about him. Then he was
carried downward and knocked sense
less by whirling log.
When consciousness returned to him
he was lying upon the bank of the
stream, while bonding over him stood a
young man Of perhaps twenty years Of
age. He was dressed in the garb usually
worn by the settlers of that region, and
leaning against tree close at hand
was heavy rife.
at was pretty close call you had"
said the stranger. Are you hurt much?"
al don't know" returned Dan, gaz-
ing about him in a bewildered manner.
"How-did it happen?"
"That's something you'll have to en-
Tighten me on" replied the young man,
lifting Dan to a sitting posture. "How
do you feel now"
Il feel as if had been run through a
griSt mill answered Dan.
Il should think so. was out for a
deer hunt and had stopped by the stream
when l happened to see you floating
down with the driftwood had barely
caught a glimpse Of you when you went
under, and | saw You no more till you
arrived at the sharp turn in the stream
Just here, and was thrown ashore with
lot of timbers | have a buggy down
the creek half mile; I'll run and bring
it up. Do you think you are able to
rider"
IL guess | am; but | feel weak and
chilled to the bone, and there's pain in
my head"
"You had bad shaking up, and it's
no wonder that you don't feel the best
but III only be gone a few minutes"
and the young man hurried away. When
he returned, quarter of an hour later,
he found Dan lying in dead faint where
he had left him.
This is a bad go" he muttercd. 81
never asked him his name or where he
lived. guess the best thing | can do is
to get him into the buggy and take him
home with me-"
AS he spoke he lifted tho unconscious
youth from the ground, and by success
sion of heroic efforts succeeded in get
ting him into the buggy. Then bring
ing his gun, which he had left leaning
against the tree, he climbed into the We
hicle and drove rapidly away, going in
northeasterly direction.
He had driven some distance before
Dan, whom he supported upon the seat
by his side, showed signs of returning
consciousness. Then he opened his eyes
and gazed blankly about him.
I'm afraid You are hurt more Sc
riously than you thought" SAID the
young man in sympathetic tone. Il
did not know where yop lived and have
taken the liberty to take you to my own
home"
81 thank you for your kindness" said
Dan i'll "A weak voice. 81 live some fifteen
or twenty miles south of the creek, and
I'm afraid I'm not able to travel that
distance"
"Of course you're not. I'm going to
take you to my shack and doctor you,
and III have you all right III short
time"
A drive of some three miles brought
| them to IA small but neat frame shanty
on the prairie.
, Here we are" said the young man,
/ allghtlng from the buggy. Then assist
ing Dan to the ground he half carried
him into the house and placed him upon
a comfortable lounge by the little fire
place. In IA short time he had assisted
the youth to remove his wet clothes and
had replaced them with some dry fan
| nes
Now" he said, with a professional
| air, I'm gong TO make an examination
of your bruises and see how much you
have been hurt. am IA physician--a
| queer place for one, you think-but I'm
here nevertheless, and my diploma is in
my trunl; there"-this with IL comical
| tmile-"and if you want to see it,
Never mind" said Dan, smiling
family. "l'm at your mercy and you
may proceed with your examination"
"All right, thank you. Now where
do you feel any pain!'
"Only about my head and shoulder
that is where the log struck me,
think"
/ The VOunrI man u1da n careful Nyan.