The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-08-06
A PULL FOR LIFE.

Jimf' said Harlan.
| assured him that nothing would
please me better, since knew he must
have met with some interesting expert
ences during the long period of his tim
Der life. Jack was not given to "blow-
ing his own bugle, yet at times, under
the mellowing influence of hickory
fire on a winters evening" he would talk
by the hour Of the woods and his adven-
lures therein.
1t was a blustry night outside, and
Jack sat before the fire holding little
Bess, his youngest child, and smoothing
her dark ringlets with his big brown
hand. could see that he was in a rem
iniscent mood, so waited patiently for
him to speak.
"Do you know, jim" he said at
length, 81 was never frightened but
twice in my life? have met with many
adventures, but nearly always l could
see my way out somewhere, and man
aged to remain fairly cool through it all.
But on two occasions l quite lost my
head, and very nearly my life"
nodded as he ceased to speak, and
he proceeded:
at was ten years ago last November
that Dolph Wender and l set out on
two weeks tramp, looking land in the
region about the headwaters of the
Muskegon. The weather was cool and
tho air bracing, just the season of the
year for big game, so Dolph and l took
along our Winchesters, with plenty Of
ammunition.
"We meant TO bring down some game,
even should we find plenty Of timber on
the land we had been sent to estimate.
/ was quite Nimrod in those days, and
would rather hunt than eat.
"On the afternoon OF the fourth day
we halted on the bank of q largo lake.
The land we desired to look over, on
which we were to estimate the amount
Of standing pine, was on the opposite
side Of the lake. Togo around would he
an all days tramp, while across the
water was a matter of only six or eight
miles.
elf we only had bout, Jack said
Dolph, we could save two days tramp.
I'VE must find one, returned Its
AbN AAkNll AllAn Ahhf mas " u ittll lflilNttl
by boats-Indian canoes, at any rate. /
see house over yonder, let us investi-
gate
1--WE did so and found an old fisher
man, who was the owner of small sltiff
in good condition-just the thing for our
purpose. The owner agreed to lend the
boat on condition that we would return
it soon. OF course we promised, and
were soon launched upon the water.
"We doffed our packs and laid them
in the bottom of the skiff We each had
belt, from which hung hatchet and
cartridges. Our rifles we placed care
fully in one end Of the skiff The craft
was small and had but one set of oars.
l was something of an athlete in those
days, and so it seemed natural enough
for me to take the first turn at the oars.
DOlph promised to spell me when half
our voyage was covered.
"We had gone perhaps mile from
land when the wind rose and sent the
white caps tumbling across the bosom
of the lake. AT the outset l enjoyed
this. Our little skiff rose and fell like
an ocean steamer ON the Atlantic. Pres
emily a great wave splashed over the
side, nearly deluging Dolph. The wind
was cold and cut like knife, and /
could see that my wet comrade was
chattering with an icy chill.
"'Let me take the oars he said /
shook my head. A strange thrill shot
over me at that moment and realized
that we were in danger. Our only safety
lay in keeping the skiff out of the trough
of the sea. Each moment the waves
rolled higher and the breeze stiffened tc
a gale.
"Dolph crouched in the stern, his face
blue, his teeth chattering. He wa,
freezing, while l was perspiring freely
II was too late 10 turn back had we de
sired. The water scurried along oul
sides, splashing at times over the low
gunwale.
Il dared not look ahead, but kept my
gaze fixed TO the rear, upon the foaminl
water and receding shore. We mus
have been three miles out when Dolpl
cried in great alarm, We're sinking
Jackr and l thought the same myself
for the moment, as the stern of our Graf
seemed to sink down, down, until tn,
great waves hung over us with awfu
threatening A bucketful of waite
splashed into the boat, and then we rost
on the crest of huge wave.
"'We're all right yet, Dolph,' said
although the smile on my face was bu
CHASTITY attempt at pleasantly. A
length found myself firing under tn
constant strain at the oars. locke,
longingly at Dolph. He seemed TO un
derstand and moved as II 10 rise TO hi
feet
"'No. no, don't l cried sharply. j
you get Iip now we are lostl Keep you
seat. viii hold the skiff alone Tn
task was a harder one than l had bal
gained for, however, Il was yer
difficult matter 20 dip the oars properl
In such heavy sea.
; 1T taxed all my GOODNESS and know
edge Of boating to hold the frail ski
straight across the boiling sea. A sin
gle mismovement now would send MS
the bottom. When / realized this / COZ
1 fess felt alarmed II was yet Ion
0 distance 10 land, and knew that, stron
as l was, the situation was destined
test my endurance 10 the utmost.
OIL wish could help you, cha
, tered the blue lips of my companion.
made no reply, but set my teeth haI
and urged the skiff more swiftly on i
course.
"The wind seemed To rise each m
: ment Great clouts Of water splashe
over my person and the hiss of the hui
a ing sea seemed like the mockiug g. Iy
% Of a hungry animal about 10 spring up
its prey. breathed hard. Twas tiriI
8 with the awful strain.
Il fain would have called ON Dolp
only knew should / relinquish the GA
for but one second it would end u
struggle. / must sit where / was an
hold the nose of the skill out Of Il
trough of the sea till land was reache
! else we were lost. Could / hold ou
This WAS the supreme question of th
terrible moment
Il was wet with perspiration, and II
once stalwart frame trembled from II
long and unwonted oKertion. / so,
realized with a shudder that my streng
was deparing. It seemed 10 me at th