The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-01-12

peyiority In swimn.l.g before the rest
Of the hsys. The latter raised a cheer
Nh they saw Metcalfe striking for the
land again, holding the hat in his hand.
Then they saw Metcalfe stop suddenly.
The arm that held the hat dropped and
disappeared below the water.
Grierson, 10 swimming a yard or
two behind Metcalfe, gave a few yigor-
GUS strokes which brought HIM along
side the latter. But before he could
stretch ont a hand to prevent ii Met
calfe's head went under. Grierson
dived at almost the same moment. The
boys i'm and around the boat held their
breath.
Something wrong with Douglas.
He's taken cramp or something,
George Marchant said.
A minute went by, and they saw the
beads of both boys reappear, "a yard or
two further out. Grierson was sup
porting Metcalfe with his right arm.
i've cramp in my right leg and
arm" Metcalfe said in hoarse, low
voice. I'm afraid / can t swim a stroke
farther myself"
"All right, try to tread water with
your other leg; it will help a little.
Wen be all right when we are once out
of this current, Grierson replied quiet
ly.
Yet Grierson knew that his task was
not going to prove an easy one. For a
few minutes he made little or no head
way. Metcalfe hung upon his arm al
most like a dead weight. Douglas was
doing his utmost to help himself, .but
it ayailed very little, for, besides the
cramp which had attacked him, he was
exhausted by his efforts at first t o over
take and outstrip Grierson.
Grierson struggled on, his burden
impeding every stroke he made and
l~essening its effect. The boy felt his
own strength ebbing fast. Unless he
got out of the current in a few minutes
more. he feared that all would be lost.
But he was making progress and could
see that the distance between the boat
and himself was l~essening.
"A minute more, and we shall be in
smooth water. 7" he whispered hoarsely
to Metcalfe.
As he spoke Grierson changed Met
calfe from his left arm to his right and
used the left for swimming. This gave
him considerable ease and rest, and his
next few strokes were freer and more
vigorous. And now he felt the current
decidedly l~essening in force. He sum
moned up all his remaining energy in
n last effort, and half a dozen more
strokes brought him free of the current.
The two boys were in calm water,
and now, too, they were met by George
Marchant and Frank Newlyn, who re-
lieved Grierson of his burden and took
Metcalfe between them. In this order
they reached the boat. There were
many outstretched arms to help them
in, and then tine boat was lowed to the
| shore.
DR.. Metcalfe, the principal of Dem
mark House and Douglas father, was
not a little alarmed at what had hap
pened. though he did not show it. Both
boys were Immediately got to bed, and
prompt measures taken to restore
warmth and circulation to their chilled
and aching bodies. These had the de-
sired effect; in a day OF two both Grier-
son and Metcalfe were back in class and
playground.
The latter took an early opportunity
OF seeking Grierson alone.
II have to thank you very much.
Grierson," he said. You saved my
life at the risk of your own; there's no
doubt about that. And the whole thing
was my fault too. l am very sorry.
Will you accept my best thanks, and
try to forget my part in the matter?
I'll forget yours"
why, of course, " Grierson replied,
and there the matter ended.-New York
Journal.