The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-05-16

said to his mother, after his little chores
We're done:
Mother, Johnny Porter and ALI
hughes (neighboring boys about his
own agc) are going in swimming to-
day. May go along?'
We'll, my son." replied Mrs. johnson,
you know that don't much like Sun
Gay sports, but suppose you boys do
need good wash after your weeks
work in the harvest field, and if you'll
promise to merely take bath close to
shore and then come straight home
you may go. But don't forget your
selves" Il 8
"Oh, no; we'll be very careful, mother
and not get into danger Besides were
all pretty good swimmers" rejo;ned
Willie, and with a good-by kiss he
scampcred glcefully away, while his
mother. already half regretting her de-
cision, looked afte;. him with n sigh.
On reaching the lake he found his
comrades waiting for him and in pos
session of a small boat, to which they
were fitting oars, while similar craft
lay alongside.
"Why, boys" inquired Willie, "wherc
did you get the boat? My mother didn't
give mo leave to go sailing, and prom
ised that we'd just take good bath,
and not run into any danger"
"Oh, it's all right, WILL" explained
John Porter; "the sllilfs belong to some
fishermen on the other side of the lake.
They've gone to the village, s'pose,
and we're going to borrow this one for
little while and have some fun"
YES" broke in Alfred Hughes,
well have good time. Jump right
in, Will, and we'll row out to the mid
die of the lake and take something like
a swim"
Willie johnson rather demurred Mt
this extension of the programme, but,
boylilxc, allowed himself to be over
ruled, and the three thoughtless young
stcrs were quickly af1oat. The water,
though deep to the very shore, was
smooth rs n mirror, and so wondrously
clear that the pebbly bottom could be
everywhere plainly seen.
The boys, shouting and laughing
with delight, pulled out to a spot about
three hundred yards equidistant from
either bank, and then ALT Hughes pro.
posed that they should anchor the boat.
undress and swim ashore, when, if too
tired for return trip, they would take
the other skiR and SO recover the first
and their clothes.
This plan was enthusiastically an.
proved of, and, dropping the little
anchor, the boys threw off their scant
garments and plunged fearlessly over
board.
Lets see who'll touch land first.
cried Johnnie Porter as the three
glistcning forms rose to the surface
again.
"All right!' yelled the others, and
each one struck out at his best speed.
Now. Whalen lake is. fed principally
by living springs, and even in the heat
of summer its waters are decidedly
cold. All the youngsters thought them
selves good swimmers, but they had
never tried a course half so long us
this, and before they had gone one hun
drcd yards their own forced cxertons
and the low temperature of the water
began to tell upon them.
However, they pushed gamely on for
fifty yards further, by which time young
Porter was some distance in advance,
Hughes next and Willie johnson a bad
third.
Suddenly the latter called out: "Hclp
me, All! Pm tired out"
$50 am L." dolefully cried Johnny
Porter from his leading position. 81
don't believe can reach shore"
''You go right on, Johnnie, and try
to get the boat. I'll help Willie" gal.
lantly said Hughes, and the brave little
fellow turned back to his distressed
comrades side.
You're safe enough, Willie" he
checrily sputtcred. 'sPut one hand on
my shoulder and keep straight as a
log, and I'll tow You in"
For some distance further the over.
weighted swimmer struggled manfully
on, encouraging his helpless burden as
best he could. Then, when no more
than fifty yards from shore, Willie
family gasped: "It's-no-use-Alf-
rm-numb-all- over! I'll drown
ou-too-if-I-hold- Tell-moth.
cr-I-was-sorry Good-by." And
removing his cold hand the young hero
sank like stone.
Alfred Flu ghes knew only too well
that he could not have sustained him.
self, and his companion as well, for
twenty seconds longer: but the knowl-
edge that Willie had voluntarily relin-
quish his only hope of life in order that
he might be saved sent thrill through
his chilled frame and he managed to
call out brokenly:
'.Johnniel the boat! quiclSl quick!
Willie is gone!"
But Johnnie had just dragged him,
self by q supreme effort ashore, and
could not have stirred, at the moment,
to save q world.
"Oh! Willie, Willie" cried Aif, as if
his friend could hear him: 81 can't dive
foryou must die, too. There's no
HOPPER