The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1894-03-03
Mission was almost roughly denied


caught up with Andy by swift rush.
ssNo.. replied Andy, you'll make the
boat too heavy. I'll go alone. That's
the only chance of overtaking the Ell
Brace up, Phil I'll do my best to save
Dick"
Phil seemed determined to go in spite
of this. But Andy eluded him ana
pushed ahead. Now he was clear OF the
promontory, and the next instant the
Alfratta was skimming swiftly in pur-
suit OF the Elf with Andy perched firm
ly on the seat
The crowd chcered Justify and Andy
turned long enough to wave his hand.
Then he gave his undivided attention
to the task that lay before him. That /
it was likely to prove stern and dill
cult one he quickly realized. His con-
ception of the winds force had not !
been exaggerated The speed OF the ice |
boat was something fearful and he !;
found that he had but slight control |
over it. At first he was content to |
swing along on the track OF the Eli,
which was more than q quarter OF
mile ahead of him, and still speeding
diaronally toward the opposite shore
of the river. lie could see Dick perched
on the rear end, but could not make
out what he was doing. A moment or
| two later there was proof to show that
the little fellow had been experiment.
ing with the sails. The Elf suddenly
swung about. and slipped straight
down mid-river for one hundred yards.
| Then it tackled diagonally toward the
Port Treverton shore. Possibly these
movements were due to the vagaries of
the wind, though Andy thought other
wise. He quickly hauled On the jio and
altered the Alfratta's course to that OF
the Elf.
His satisfaction vanished when he
spied q reef of out-crupping rocks be-
tween the two boats. Their presence
above the ice was due to the fact that
the river had frozen when at low
stage. The barrier extended clear from
mid river to the Port Trcverton shore.
and the Elf had been below it when
she tackled.
The only course open to Andy was to
circle around the rocks. SO he at once
tackled toward them. But when he had
reached and passed their outermost
edge and was minded to tack in the OPP
posite direction such a squirt of wind
: came on that the jib-sail was helpless.
The Alfratta darted nearly across tho
remaining half of the river. Then 1t
swung straight down stream, parallel
with the shore, and at distance from
it of several hundred feet.
For time Andy made no attempt to
! \ alter his present course. lie was on
one side of the river, the Elf on the
other. Finally the other boat came
. lacking over as far as mid-strcan,
when it turned and kept parallel with
the Alfratta. Andy was undecided
4 what to do. He could see Dick waving
+. his cap at him.
eff tack across now" he reflected
:. "I'll likely drop behind the Elf, and bt
Il driven clear to the other shore before
l can turn around. But if fool away
L any time Dick may blunder into an air
s hole. IT'S mighty awkward fix"
/ He hesitated little longer, then al
It choice was suddenly taken out of hi
e hands. AS he glanced down the broas
d vista of glittering ice he saw something
e that made his heart leap and his bloot
t turn chill Half mile ahead, in mid
:? river, was great sheet of open, blaci
o water. The Elf was dashing straigh
toward it.
% For moment Andy was sick witt
lr despair. Then his resolve was taken
e He rugged msdly at the jib-sail, and L
e his delight the Alfratta Instant.
tackled outward 1t sped faster AM
= faster. The two boats were now trav
!, cling on opposite sides of a triangle
Would they meet in time, or woult
h both find watery grave in the vas
e air hole?
n Andy knew that there was scarcel
% a chance. Yet he did not finch in tn
face of almost certain death. II
t, steered the Alfratta steadily on, deter
E. mined to save Dick or perish wit
him.
IN Meanwhile the Elf encountered som
,e rough ice and fell little behind Thi
IS made Andys chances brighter. TIL
next minute was full of horror an
re suspense The two iceboats rushe
Or madly on, one headed straight for th
air holes. the other striving to eros
he above it Dick saw the peril now, an
ne his shrill cries echoed far on the al
Andy waved his hand cheerily. Fl
e. could see moving black specks over o
Id the Port Treverton shore.
as Now the gap of yawning black watt
st was just ahead. Nearer and neart
or swept the Elf. Closer and closer cam
IN the Alfratta. The sides of the triang
Id were rapidly dwindling to poin
II Andy felt his heart rising to his throa
ed He scanned the distance between tt
d. two boats and thought that he saw
as CLEAN OF. hope.
~ Dick" he shouted with all h
o. might, 'crawl up trout Be ready fl
ry me. If miss jump of. Do you unde
-e- stand?"
ad Dick nodded. Then he quick
nv obcyed orders Now the critical m
ut ment was at hand. At q distance
en- only twenty feet from the brink of Il
lis air-hole the Alfratta dashed oblique
,e- across the bow of the Elf. There WI
ly crash and CULVER, and that quickl
er Andy snatched little Dick and dragg'
I'll him from his place of peril.
he The Elf swung about, and groul
les swiftly on. She plunged into Il
tie black water, and was sucked down
1T, the swift current. The sails float
for q moment and then disappeared.
n. The Alfratta barely cleared the fl