Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-06-13

lets Of . nls OF soldiers drawn up In line
to take his life deliberately. Marx was
Q changed man from the moment be got
into the river, for he then felt that he
had chance for his life.
In the position on bis back he could
only look upward ut the stars. There
was the great dome above him spangled
with myriads Of bright points and
spsnned by the 'milky way" he had
always been fond o: the stars, and IN
order to divert his mind picked out
some Of his favorites and traced Q few
consultations with which be was famil-
lar. In this way be diverted his mind
until his nerves became quite steady.
His observations were suddenly
checked by sound. Il was very faint,
but enough to freeze the marrow In his
bones. Il was the distant bark Of Q dog.
He listened and presently could hear
more. Evidently there was . pack.
They drew nearer. Then they ceased
for awhile. Perhaps they had come to
the place where he had walked on the
fence. Then the barks began again,
growing only slightly louder a. they
came, for Mark was floating rapidly
from the point where he had entered the
river.
He involuntarily turned over on his
chest and struck out Justify. The cur.
rent was swift; swimming would not
add to his safety-it would only tar his
strength and render him more liable to
recspture ON the other shore. But swim
he must. With the terrible sound Of
those dogs in his ears he could not lie
idly on the water and leave the current
to bear him onward.
Soon there came another cessation OF
sound from the dogs far above on the
shore, and Mark Judged that they had
lost the scent at the place where he had
entered the water.
Then he began to think of Souri, and
Jakey. What had they done to Souri,
when they had discovered her tricki
Would they punish herr Would they
treat the boy harshlyi He was COM
forted with the thought that there would
be nothing gained by this-it would not
bring the prisoner back-but he NUT
tered prayer for the girl who had
placed herself behind those prison bars,
who had incurred the rage Of his jailers
TO save him.
He heard no more Of the dogs and
hoated ON, swimming and resting alter.
nately. The high bluffs Of Moccasin
point were before him on his right. An
owl ON their summit, watching the ris-
ing moon, occasionally gave Q dismal
hoot, the intervals being supplied by the
melancholy whippoorwill. The current
bore him on around the point, carrying
him In near the shore where he had
passed the picket with the sleeping
Jakey In his arms q few nights before.
So close was he that he could see man
Talking back and forth on thevery beat
tf the one he had passed. As he drifted
lway he saw the relief approach and the
picket changed.
He was borne directly under Lookout
mountain, and on down for q mile to
point where the river makes another
bend. Here the bank was low, and as
Mark was getting chilled he swan to
the southern bank for rest. He laid
himself down for few moments on the
dry ground, and then getting mp walked
back and forth rapidly, swinging hi
arms at the same time to restore circu.
lation and fit him to endure longer
stay In the water. He looked about for
some piece of wood ON which he might
float farther. There were logs Of vari.
Gus sizes scattered around, but most OF
them were rotten. He was so much at
home In the water that he was not dis
appointed ON failing to find one suitable
to his purpose.
Plunging in again he moved on down
past the bluffs at the foot Of the Raccoon
mountains, swimming on his chest most
Of the time and keeping lookout before
him. He had not passed any boats, at
least none near him. and did not fear
this danger, but he wanted to keep his
surroundings well In view in order to
know his location. The moon was now
well mp, and he coul1 see quite distinct
". Below and to hisfight Q boat was
putting out from the east shore. II was
larger than an ordinary skiff, but as 1t
was in q shadow he could not tell what
kind of a craft It was. As It came over
the river Mt right angles with the shore,
and Mark was drifting toward 1t, he
soon found that he was In danger OF
meeting It In the middle Of the stream.
The current was quite rapid. and before
he was aware Of It he was close to the
boat. It was evidently ferryboat, and
Mark, who knew the location OF Browns
ferry from the maps, judged that 1t was
the boat belonging there.
But Mark was concerned with other
considerations besides his location Just
then. He was too late to get out OF the
way unobserved by swimming aside.
He made mp his mind In twinkling
what to do. Drawing several long
breaths he filed his lungs with air, and
then putting his head down and his feet
up he threw himself under water. He
had often been beneath the surface for
a considerable time, but never as long
as now. He remained under as long a.
he thought he possibly could, and then
staid awhile longer. When he came
to light again the boat was hundred
yards above him and to the west Of him.
Another mile brought him to an island.
He remembered II on his map as VII.
liam's island, and knew that 1t was
about two miles long. He recalled the
fact that the only creek flowing into tho
river In this vicinity entered 1t midway
between the north and south end Of this
island, and on his right, II he remem-
bered Alright. He had about mile TO
20 to reach the mouth of this creek.
Striking out, he directed his course to
the eastward Of the island and swan
very near to the east bank Of the river.
Along this he Aoated with scarcely
stroke, except to keep In close to the
shore, watching eagerly for the mouth
of the creek. Fortunately when he
reached Il he discovered It. and where
he had supposed he would find II. With
q few lusty strokes he was In 1t and soon
at q place where he could rest In the
water with his feet on terra frma. :.
But the knowledge that the dogs
would soon be upon him prevented Q
rest Of long duration. Perhaps party
would cross the neck Of Moccasin point,
thus cutting Of q greater part Of the
long distance over which he had foated.