Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-04-11

y. 49, s'0~ - sn0 n NO. ~ fkVD
| At sIghtof them an idea 6ntere'
Grey's mind on which he acted with
out loss ol time. Hastily untyinI
the halter OF the nearest horse h
fsprangin the saddle and rgallope<
away just As the pursuers came upo.
the scene
Another volley of bullets rattlet
around. his head, but fortunately hi
was not injured, and he urged thu
horse to his best speed. soon being
convinced by the clatter of hoofs be-
hind that he was being pursued.
Suddenly dull, roaring sound
ahead broke upon his ears Puzzled
to account for 1t he galloped on,
pausing at last with q groan OF dis
may. A river lay before him, the
waters OF which, swelIed by the re-
cent rains, had washed away the
bridge. 4.
What was he to dor To surrender
to his pursuers was not to be thought
of, and to attempt crossing the river
would likely prove destruction.
But there was no time to lose.
The enemy was close upon him,
and seeing from. the distance that
something had occurred to bar his
escape began to- shout in triumph.
He quickly decided what to do.
He would risk the river.
He urged hiss trembling horse for,
ward. The latter refused to obey,
but by applying the spurs unmerci-
fully he succeeded in starting him,
and with a snort of terror he sprang
into the water.
The current whirled them under
in thrice, and the lieutenant had
all he could do to cling to the saddle
as the horse, rising again, struck out
wildly for the other shore.
The stream was full OF floating
logs that had been carried down
from above, and one of these sudden
ly struck the horse in the head. The
poor brute sank from under him,
leaving Grey struggling in the cur
rent.
But the lieutenant threw out his
arms and managed to grasp the log
as it rushed by. With much diff
Guilty he drew himself upon the tim
Der and chung to 1t with tenacity.
On down the stream the log bore
him, while other timbers and OBJ
structions came into his way so thick
and fast that he narrowly escaped
being crushed to death.
At last he noticed with feeling
of horror that the river was rapidly
and the current increas-
ing in turbulence. The banks rose
on either side to the height Of twelve
or fifteen feet, and into this swirling
gorge he soon found himself.
The log began turning and twist
ing in all directions, and he was
submerged many times. Suddenly
he lost his hold entirely and slipped
off into the water to begin struggling
for life.
With an energy born OF despair he
struck out for the bank. His strength
was soon spent. With groan he
was about giving up the terrific
struggle when his hands came in
contact with some bushes growing
out from the shore.
With his last remnant of, strength
he grasSed them, contriving to wind
their long ends around his body.
Then, dashed to and fro by the mer-
CHESS current, he sank into uncon-
sciousness.
When he finally came to his senses
the light OF day had appeared. The
river had subsidized somewhat, and he |
found himself hanging from the
bushes few feet above the water.
He looked up to the top Of the bank |
and groaned as he realized his ina
bility to reach it unaided.
'What shall dor" he cried, in
despair.
Then he started in surprise.
Surely that was child crying on the
bank above him. Listening intent
" he was soon convinced that he
was not mistaken.
Who's up there?" he called.
The next moment little tear
stained face looked down upon him.
1t evidently belonged to q little girl
,f 6 or years, and as the soldier be-
,eld her he forgot his own peril for
;he time in his surprise at her pres
ence.
who are you, child?" he asked.
Bessie" she answered.
Bessie who?"
Just Bessie"
Have you no other name?" he
lsked.
No, SIR"
"How did you come here?"
II ruined away. The people
lidn't treat me good. They locked
ne in the smoke house, but l got
tut and ran of yest'day morning"
Grey uttered cry OF surprise.
"Was it Tom Jones who put you
here?" he asked.
Eyes, sir; he's bad man."
II believe you, child,' said the
oldier.
He began looking around again.
There was wild vine running along
he top of the bank, ut sight OF
which an idea came to him. He
managed to get out his knife, and,
lfter opening it, tossed it up to the
.hild.
take the knife, Bessie, and cut
hat, vine in two; but be careful you
lon't cut your fingers, he said.
She did as directed. and after
much difficulty succeeded.
"Now pull one end over the bank
10 can reach it." he went on.