The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-05-31

wildly. "Oh, Denzil, where r your"
Here 1 am" came the reply, and
Caleb saw the slight figure of his
friend standing upon the point of a
rock projecting out of the flood which
boiled and thundered above him.
Without a moments hesitation Caleb
plunged into the water, which S to
his armpits, and battIed his way to-
ward the rock. Selling Denzil around
the waist he drew him down, and,
supporting him by arm, struck
out for the high ground. The water
had now above the boys heads and
they could only hope to escape by
swimming.
Denzl could not swim and if left to
himself in that raging torrent would
have drowned in a moment. But he
was light of weight and Caleb was the
strongest boy in the school.
AS the minutes went by the terrible
strain began to tell upon CaIeb's
strength. In order to keep Denzil's
head above the water he was swim
ming on his side, overland, which
with D7nzil's weight forced his own
head under at every stroke. More
over he was bleeding from a blow on
the temple from a piece of passing
wreck; skillful and vigorous as he was,
he felt himself growing very weak.
Should he fail after all? Poor Denzil
1t was like him to think only of his
friend even at that terrible crisis.
But he would not fail! He set his
teeth grimly and battled on. Denzil
could hear his breath come in sobs,
and see the suffering in his wild eyes
and drawn features.
ooh, Calebr' he cried, you are
killing yourself for me-"
"It-is-tough," came the gasping
reply; "but I'll do it,"
Those who watched them breath
Iessly from the bank above many
times believed the boys lost, as the
yellow waves s over their heads
and hid them from sight. But the
next moment they would reappear,
and the hope would be renewed in the
anxious hearts of the spectators.
Poor, dull Caleb! They will never
laugh at you again. Everything was
! forgotten in love and admiration for
the gallant boy struggling for the life
of b;o frio1J IN +ho ol,,+ob Of tho AOo1
How they hung upon every stroke of
that strong right arm! How they
groaned and wept as they saw him
growing weaker and weaker, moving
slower and slower. Yet he still
held on.
lone more stroke! Another! Hur-
rah! Saved-savedr'
Caleb heard the words as in a dream.
He felt his feet touch the ground.
Eager arms seized him. There was a
wild, exultant cry. Some one called
his name; then he knew no more.
When he came to himself again he
found that he was lying upon the
ground, his head supported by Denzil's
knee, while around him stood boys
and girls, men and women, some shed
ding tears and all talking together like
crazy creatures.
"Caleb," said DenziI brokenly, lit
is no use trying to say anything"
"Then DON'T" answered Caleb, smil-
ing family. Its all right"
And l." cried Mollie, sobbing.
"Oh, Caleb, I am so ashamedp
Don't" said Caleb again. It's all
right"
When the flood subsidized it was
found that only the lower portion of
the house had been damaged. The
upper sooms we're still habitable. At
Denzil's request the party remained at
Mill Farm, and three days later an
open air feast was given in honor of
Caleb Orion, and every n there
heartily agreed with Denzil when he
concluded a neat little speech with the
words:
"Caleb Orion, honest as gold, true
as steel, brave as a lion. "-PhGLadeI-
phiU Press.
~wV-