The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-12-07
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my story = short" said he. II
heard the dog booming from the noun
tains; heard the dser IN the woods just
where / was listening to him: saw him
break out into the open exactly where
I was watching for him, and then
shot him."
"And hit exactly the spot you aimed
for I supposer' said his companion.
mot precisely. Il was an inch and
q quarter to the left, for he was trav-
cling fast, and I did not try for extra
fine sighting. But this was not my
first. and since we each agreed to give
our first deer stories, you may 40 well
have mine now. It was years ago. I
got him under the Jack light, floating
1t is now called. II was asimple case
Of brutalising assassination and Il
would be easy to believe that Al
mighty God punished me for It without
delay. shall never do It again.
1T was just at break Of day. and
leaving my guide to dress out and hang
up the deer, took my little 6-year.boy
In the boat and rowed across the lake
On an errand. When we started to re.
turn I paid out trolling line and pass.
ed the rod to my boy In the stern.
Presently basil suppose It was q
bass-struck the spoon, and struggling
so violently that poor, little Russell's
strength and skill weren't equal to II,
snd he partly stood up to pass the rod
to me. I also partly stood up to reach
for 1t. Now, you all know what a 60
pound Adirondack boat Is capable of.
Properly handled. 1t will live In the
highest waves ever met in these wa
tiers; but any greenh0rn can get under
one In an instant in fiat water.
II was carslees. The boat tipped
and nearly filed and then righted. I
instantly placed each hand ON opposite
gunwales Of the boat Strengthening my
arms, raised my body free by the boat
and gently balanced myself out into
the like and swan to the end Of the
bow. OF course. In balancing out I
completely filed the boat with water,
but I kept It right side up and hoped
that, swamped as It was, It would sus-
tain the boy and also allow me to bear
q part Of my weight ON It while I
swan and pushed It along. The boat
sank at first until the water came, up
to Russell's mouth. I bore no more
weight. on It. and kept eoothing and
encouraging him to sit absolutely still.
The water was bitterly cold. NY hunt.
ing clothes and boots were heavy.
swan and pushed as steadily and care.
fully as / could, aiming for the point
of an island. I was slow-terribly
slow. I economical my strength In
every possible way, and began to specu
late on tho time when complete ex-
taustion would overcome me. It was
certain to come along before I could
reach the island. In encouraging and
directing the boy to sit perfectly still,
and ut intervals to scream at the top
Of his voice. used the fewest possible
words and expended the least possible
amount Of breath.
"a numbness beginning at my feet,
crept gradually up my legs until they
were all but useless. I swan only with
my arms, and at every second or third
stroke pushed the boat carefully with
one hand. It was plain now that
could not possibly get to the island,
and that no boat could possibly get to
us In time to be Of any service to me.
I therefore gave. Russell final precise
directions; trying to give him the I'M
preston that I was simply going away
after help. ] wanted, oh, 20 much! to
say good-hy to him, and to give q mes
sage to his mother. but did not dare
risk the little fellows emotions.
My pains were now 80 intense that
It required NO courage to let myself
slowly sink. It came Us a blessed re-
lief. It came almost as q disappoint-
ment after I had sunk to find that my
feet struck bottom.
I'VE had Just reached the edge Of q
shoal andswere IN q tribe over feet
Of water. ! thought that was DYING.
and the hope that footing gave was
only q languid stimulus. It was the
thinking Of that dear, courageous boy
that gave me enough vitality to thrust
my head above the surface again. A
few more sinkings and few more
thrusts brought me to wading ground .
"Are You on bottom, papa!
II had only enough strength to say
yes, my son. and I slowly-very sloW.
ly-pushed the boat to the island. I
lifted the boy out and said, .Russel.
say thank Gody"
Thank God, papa9