Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-03-22

are bucklod securely about the legs
and loins, there IL no possible chance
for . man to save himself In the
water. And thus IL IL that none Of
the fishers learn to swim, preferring
the drowning agonies to be over as
soon as possible.
Frau Muller rose at length and put
the little one to bed, not dreaming
that Hans was watching every look.
Old Walther's forecast was indeed
true, and before morning the sea was
terrific to look upon. The rain fell
in sheets, and the beautiful leaves Of
yesterday lay sodden and colorless
when the children looked in dismay
from the windows. Could things
change SO quickly?
The next day the storm grew still
more furious. The mothers heart
became as lead. Her husband had
gone from his home young and
strong. Was he never to return?
She would not, could not believe it,
The second night of the storm she
was startled by cry of pain from
Hans, and running to his bedside
she found him sitting up, white with
terror. Mother, the raven wants
my fathers life or mine. 1t came to
me in my sleep"
"My child, pray for your fathers
life; he needs all our prayers" she
answered, full of her sad forebodings.
The boy was in despair; did his
mother really think he had brought
trouble on his home? Would the
Red Forester demand an equivalent?
The little fellow spent the next
day in a dazed condition. His mother
was too full of anxieties to notice that
he neither ate nor spoke. One thought
grew stronger in his mind as the
storm increased. He would find the
abode of the Red Forester. What
was his life il only his father was
saved to the rest?
AS the third morning dawned the
storm was lessening; but when no
boats came in all was gloom and sor-
row. The old men shook their heads
as they looked on the sea. No doubt
some had gone out who would never
return.
The little fellows brain was dis
tracted. 1t was still early morning.
The mother slept, worn out with care.
He must 60 at once. Putting on his
old jacket and looking his last on all
he loved, the little fellow made his
way into the widest and most un-
frequented part of the wood. He
was good walker and strong enough
for his age, but his condition of mind
for the last three days had brought
on a feverish state; for he had neither
eaten nor slept save to dream Of hor-
rors.
Hans had not walked far in the
cold, damp place before his limbs be-
gan to fail him. A few hours found
him in a strange, lifeless condition,
with only one idea before him, to go
deeper and deeper into the black,
untrodden wilds.
By and by the fever took possession
of his reason, and he began to mutter
as he walked: "Oh, my father, my
life for yours; spare my father!"
Hours went by and still he walked
on, not knowing how he moved. The
darkness came on early, and the boy
began to fall in his weakness.
All at once he found himself in a
clear space, in the middle of which a
great fire was burning. Had he in
deed found the Red Forester! Yes;
it must be so. A man in a red gown
and golden cap was feeding the fire
with fierce delight.
He would be burnt alive. That
would be his fate. But what did it
matter? He could not suffer more
than he had done. He made an at
tempt to attract the red man s notice,
but could not. His strength was
gone, and, tottering nearer the dread
being with the cry, "My father, save
my father!" Hans fell down beside
the fire unconscious.
1t was a most surprised old gentle
man into whose presence the boy had
tumbled. Lovingly and tenderly he
carried the child into warm, plea
SAINT room where all was done to re-
store him. His wet clothing was re-
moved; and although Hans felt the
comfort of warm bed, still, all night
long he tossed and cried in fever;
my father, oh, Red Forester, my
fatherv'
1t was into hunting lodge Of one
of the royal family that Hans had
wandered. The old gentleman, who
looked so fierce in the glare Of the fire,
was a most benevolent and gentle
doctor Of eminence, friend Of the
Prince. The gnats had troubled him
so during the day that fire had been
made to attract them from the lodge.
IT shall never be thankful enough
that I made the fire." said the doc
tor, as he worked over the child.
THANK God, too, / have my medi-
cine chest; what could the child
mean about his father? Well, had
he lain out there all night no mortal
help could have saved him."
BY morning the doctor had done
much to reduce the fever, and when
Hans opened his eyes at last to con-
seriousness the red man stood at the
door looking out. The child glanced
around. What had come to him?
What place was this, so warm and
beautiful, yet fearful? The skins of
animals hung everywhere; not only
skins but heads with eyes, living eyes
glared at him. All kinds of terrible,
cleaning weapons shone on the wall.
Oh, what q horrible placel Yet