The morning call., 1893-08-21

noise might betray me. The sequel proved the
wisdom of my boylsh Judgment. Though but
Is years old, | knew every path In the wilder
most of the days bathing In the lake. Notwith-
standing my outdoor exercise l was a slender
and delicate looking youth. But wasn't glad
one day that / was thini | "went In swim
ming" always near big dead tree that lifted
Its gaunt form away up into the sky. It stood
so close to the water that the waves had swept
under IL and wash d away the earth
from the roots, making big cavity
where 1t had once drawn nonrishment
for its branches. [ had often longed TO look
under there and know all about thr mysteries
OF That cave. So one day, feeling more than
usually rec less, l TOOK long pole, pOked
caught III any roots aud then diyed In. As
got well under The hill L discovered that ne
cave cave was light ana thai / could see bottom. /
kicked back ill / got ont. Here was mys
lely sure Another breath and down ] went
again. This lime L turned on my back and
,GSokea 100 a5i up Agreat flood OF light came down
h.9 tn9 Ola Tree. Ihe storms OF years above ana
oelow had Jointly eaten out the old trunk till it
stood shell from root 10 top
j., Onee more 1illng my lungs with air, / dyed
uHec'y under the light. Then | reached up
and ielt an opening. Through this stuck nv
nedu and one arm. Then breathing was easy,
Ion M mere was plenty OF air. | told nobody OF
my secret and ehuckled every time Thought of
my Wood parlor. The mex day took win ma
an AK and cut out the opening i'm il was I,rge
enough even Tor mau. Then / cut little eve.
holes, and called mi''peepersU through fhe
sides so could see any one approachinga The
day when IL really became a retreat / SSas sir
ting oa the bank at the favOrite spot, debating
whether II was too late in line wear
and whether the water was too colo FOR
taking farewell plunge. l had almost made
up my mlnd not 20 go ln when rife shot Game
booming across the lake. The shot was still
echoing among the trees above me when
while man dashed down to the shore aud ran
along the beach. At his heels came a band of
Indians. Every now ana then l could see one
rais- his bow and let fly an arrow. Back into
the woods the fleet white man darted, taking
my direction. few minutes and they might
be upon me. But / smiled as / thought of The
tree. ana quickly threw off my clothes, which I
tied into a bundle and fastened about nv waist
Then / laid my ear 10 the ground and lis
tened. Tramp, tramp came the dull sound OF
running feet, growing clearer and clearer. [
hesltated no longer, but plunged in and soon
had my eyes TO the peppers" The water had
scarcely dried on my flesh when crashing
through the underbrush came the hunted man.
The terrible squirt of speed by which he had
momentarlly LETT his pursueTs behind had told
on him, and now, breathless, pale Ind ready 10
rail-, he leaned against the tee. lie had thrown
away Ills rifle III the race, but now he drew his
revolver, and hiding behind the tree prepared
10 meet arrow with bullet. His head was only
a few inches from my mouth as L cried 10 him
TO dive under the tree and come In. The cry so
near him only added 10 his fright, and his re-
volver nearly fell from bis hand.
me and you are safe"
l leaned over the opening and extended a
helping hand into the water. There was a
splash and In second l had fast hold of a
bueGskin-clothed arm. and drew him into the
tree he shlvering with the bath and awful
fear. L had only time 10 get back TO my
"peepers" when the blOodthirsty troop came
bounding on his track. His sudden disappear
anee stunned them. Down on their knees they
went. examining every detail of his foot
prints. Some leaned against the tree, and 1
could have whispered in their ears. To
The very spot from which he had dived
they tracked him, and then they
waited. He will swim the lake. they
thought, and we Will watch for him. When no
head appeared above the water the braves fell
into dispute about the trail and finally, after
an hours waiting, disappeared in the forest. Ne
TWO remained in the tree until dark. He told
me how he was carrying messages from The
military camp when he had stumbled upon the
Indian band ana how they had sought TO search
him. He bad killed the first one that laid
hands on HIM and then fed. When the first
stars came out we dropped through the opening
into the wafer, but we did not land near BY.
We swan fully quarter of a mile before land
Ing to deceive any crafty eye that might have
been observing US. In half an hour l had
piloted the scout safely 70 the stockade and the
soldiers.