Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-12-07


ly more than a bar, for nothing grew
upon it but bushes. Near the lower end
was small cabin, which some of the
village boys built for amusement out of
driftwood. Here the castaway had prob
ably taken refuge, and his situation was
extremely critical. In short time the
cabin would surely be carried off by the
rising flood and ice.
AS the crowd were specializing on the
unknown ones identity and discussing
the hopelessness of rescue, Squire Tyson,
tho most wealthy and influential man of
the village, came running down the
shore.
"Jasper is on the island" he cried,
wringing his hands in agony. HE
went over this afternoon to shoot ducks
and has not returned home. He must
have fallen asleep in the cabin, and the
ice has carried away his hoat. Will no
one save my poor boy? Are you all
cowards?"
The unhappy man grasped boat that
lay bottom up On the shore and tried to
drag it into the water.
Half adozen men caught and held him.
you will only throw your life away"
they cried mo boat could move a
dozen ya"ds in that ice. We could save
your boy if there was any Glance at all. :"
The squire suddenly realized that this
wastrue. Hestood gazing mutely toward
the island, his face rigid with despair.
A groan of pity burst from the crowd as
another gunshot was heard, followed by
hoarse appeals for help. The tide rose
higher and higher, but now clear spots
were visible here and there, and all at
once the river seemed to become free of
ice.
The meaning of this was plain. The
ice had formed gorge somewhere up
stream. Here seemed chance of res
cue, but no one was willing to take ad-
vantage of it. The crowd knew by past
experience that the gorge would likely
break in a moment or two, and then the
freed ice would sweep everything before
it like an avalanche. In vain the squire
appealed to them. In vain the poor boy
on the island cried for help. Not man
would risk what seemed certain death.
Suddenly stoutly built lad of 16 sep
arated from the throng, and running up
the shore few yards he hauled a light
skiff into the water. He seized the oars
that lay in the bottom and pulled sturdi-
ly into the swirling current, heading in
diagonal course up stream.
A simultaneous cry of amazement
burst from the crowd. Some cheered
the daring lad; others warned him back.
"God bless himr cried the squire
bursting into tears
Indeed, Curt Webb was the last ono
any person would have believed capable
of such brave deed. He was an Or
phan and worked hard for livelihood
in grocery store. The village boys,
headed by Jasper Tyson, despised and
hated him because he had persistently
refused to join any of their mischievous
depredations. He could never be in
duced to fight his tormentors, though
Jasper and others dared him to combat
many a time. So the boys gratified their
malice by calling him the coward" and
by this epithet he was known in the vii
lage.
But the coward" was surely astonish-
ing his enemies now, and his progress
was watched with breathless interest.
No one expected to see him come back
alive
Steadily the boat crept toward the is
land. Curt bent to the oars with all
his might and managedNto hold his own
against the fierce current. Occasionally
he glanced over his shoulder and was
relieved to see no trace of approaching
ice. The shore soon faded from view,
and as he neared the island he shouted
cheerily to give notice of his approach.
Jasper shouted back and fired bunch
of grass to guide his rescuer.
The water had already reached the
cabin, and just as Curt swung the boat
into the little eddy behind it he heard a
grinding noise up the river and saw a
white mass looming into view. The
gorge had broken, and the ice was COM
ing down with sweeping force.
Jasper stood in the cabin door, and
when the flaming wisp of grass showed
him the face of his rescuer he blushed
with shame.
you" he exclaimed, and that single
word spoke volumes.
Don't stop to talk cried Curt hur.
riedly. Jump in. Here comes the ice,
end we have slim chance of dodging
it,"
Too late. Even as Jasper sprang to
the boat the water heaved and tossed,
and the rumble of the dread avalanche
deepened to roar. Half dozen cakes
of ice swirled by, rising and falling with
the waves. Curt pulled straight down
stream, while his companion crouched
in the stern of the boat, helpless with
terror. But the race could end in only
one way. The line of broken ice came
grinding on like race horse, growing
with fury. 1t smashed the cabin to frag-
ments and sped after the frail little craft
That xraa etriviuO ao hard to aacana