The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-08

knees. Perhaps it isn't too late to
try one more do"
Then, getting Frank to unlace one
of my shoes for me, l set to work with
all speed at the other; and in less
than two minutes / was ready to step
overheard.
Ugh! how cold the water was 1t
almost seemed as if some sharp, steel
pointed instrument had been run up
clear through my body. But l ground
my teeth together, and began to tug
on the "Lily's" painter. Very soon,
however, / discovered that my feet
had grown warm in very queer way,
and then it seemed impossible to
brace myself to pull. The next in
slant found out what was the mat
ter. l was sinking into the muddy
bottom of the river, which was enough
like quicksand to make me strad-
die the bow of the boat quick as a
wink to keep myself from going down
any farther. So that way of getting
ourselves out of the fix had to be
given up.
"And there's no wading ashore and
leaving the Lily either" I added to
myself, as dangled my legs in the
water, trying to get the mud off.
"How long did you say we'd have
to stay here, Dick?" inquired Mabel,
gravely.
"Why, till the tide goes down and
comes up again"
'sAnd how long will that take?"
she went on.
"About two hours and half" I
replied.
20 Dickw exclaimed Mabel, on
hearing this. "Then we can't get
home in time for dinner"
"Can't you halloa for somebody to
comet" suggested Frank.
For answer l pointed to the woods
that lined the shore at this point on
one side and to the wide stretch of
sedge-grass that separated us from
the main channel of the river on the
other. We were quite cut off from
the rest of the world, although we
could see plenty of houses half
mile or so away.
Suddenly Mabel burst out with,
80 Dick, have you got pencil and
piece of paper?"
"Here's stub and the back of a
steamboat time table you can write
on" l replied, after rummaging in
my pockets.
"Oh, l want you to do the writingl"
she exclaimed, as she patted the pug
in her lap. "Write note to your
mother, and send it by Pink"
"By Pink" l cried in rather
Disguised voice. "Why, I never
heard of pug being taught to fetch
and carry"
''But let me tell you, Dick" inter-
rupted Mabel. Don't you remem-
Der the other afternoon when it
cleared off for while, and Aunt Lou
and l took Pink and walked along
the shore down this way, looking for
a certain kind of sea-weed? Well.
I'm certain we came as far as this.
So don't you think Pink will find his
way back to the house by scent if we
should put him ashore here?"
"We'll try it, anyway" I answered.
"Now what shall say?" And / be-
gan to write:-
aground IN Shore Channel,
Half a Mile beloao the House.
"Dear Mother,"-
81 don't care" replied my cousin.
"Only be sure and ask them to send
a shawl for me-"
"And something to eat" put in
Frank, quickly.
Then went on
"Don't worry. We are not drowned,
but have got to stay here till about
eight o'clock, when the tide comes
up. Please send US some sandwiches
and a shawl, and don't be frightened.
"Your affectionate son,
"DIcK PLUM"
Mabel said that would do, and /
tied very carefully to Pink's second
best ribbon with piece of string l
had. Then picked the pug up, and
was just going to drop him overheard,
when Mabel caught me by the arm.
20 Dick, stop! He'll sink in the
mud, and-and the note'll get all
wet"
This last was certainly to be avoid
ed, so put the trembling dog down
in the bottom of the boat, and meek
ly inquired how l was going to get
him ashore.
IL forgot all about that part of