Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-21

and wait the chances. Besides, I'm not
nearly as strong as ! look. and, really,
DICK Temple has more endurance than
have"
Whether have or not" exclaimed
DICK, you know well enough, Tow Low
RE. that I'm not a good enough swimmer
10 undertake this Job"
That's So" said Harry. his chee ~
flushed with the gi6w Of sudden resolu-
tion. "Dick never did claim TO be
strong swimmer. and. furthermore. he
knows less about the river than some OF
es, and as for Tom. he's got q widowed
mother that dep nds on him for help.
Thank Cod I've got a father ana n
anything happens TO me therel be a
strong arm yet at home TO care for
mother and the rest OF 'em. I'll under
take the crossing. Miss Turner, and the
sooner IT'S done the better"
"You are brave boy. Harry" came
IN forvid tones from the lips OF Miss
Turner" and may Heaven guide you
safely through your perilous under
taking Now boys" she added. leave
so and help Harry prepare for his noble
effort"
There was faint CLEAN OF admiration.
minglng with the abashod expression on
the faces OF Tom and Dick as they. with
the other boys. followed Harry from the
little room and out the back door OK the
schooi-building down to the scene of
their morning controversy.
There's the axe. Toni I'll need that"
hastily and yet coOily said Harry; never
mind what for. Get Jack to help you
put a good edge on IL at the grindstone
over In the corner. Get that old bell
rope from the buck there, Dick, and tie
II about me just under my arm-pits.
That's H. Now, I'm going TO take the
water just a few feet below the head OF
the cutoff. that will give me a long way
20 battle with the tide before IT sweeps
out into the river again"
But the falls. Harry" said Jack San
ders. eXcitedly. Had you forgotten that
they are Just below the bend, beyond the
mouth Of the cut-ofT'
NO, indeed. Jack" returned Harry.
"and that's what the rope Is for You
boys are TO run along the bank with the
free end Of IL as the current takes me
along. and II I don't make the other
shore before ] get to the river you are
10 haul me in. understand
THAT we do" replied Jack and DICK,
almost in one breath.
The axe being ground. the rope securely
adjusted, the party ran back to the
schoOl-house. where they were met by
Miss Turner, whose irradiant face re-
hected the faith impaired by the fervent
prayer she had offered up during her
interval OF solitude IN the little store
room
II am ready. Miss Turner" said Harry,
checrfully, lifting his manly face UP to
meet the gaze OF his teacher.
"Our hopes and prayers 90 with YOU
Harry" she replied, taking both his
hands in hers. and giving them
pressure which thrilled him with the
warmth OF her sympathy
Thank YOU" he answered, "thatIl
strengthen me for my work: and then
Tom and Jack and Dick are going TO
stand by me. and ! reckon wen bring
you welcome news before long Good-by!
and with Miss Turner's God bless yOu!'
following him. the young hero led his
companions out into the storm and down
to the flooded channel the children mean |
while gathering at the windows to watch |
the progress OF his struggle for their
rescue.
The wind had abated somewhat. and |
there was quite a lull I'm the doNnpOur |
ms the boys rived at the margin OF the |
flooded cutoff. but the thirty-feet eX
panse Of wa dividing them from the |
other shore was a mass OF careering |
foam-capped waves that swirlei and |
wrthed and eddied I'm wild turbulence |
from side TO side Of the channel, and |
then bounded resistlessly along as the |
volume Of the river gave fur
Their impetus TO the appalling torrent |
The prospect Of doing battle with such |
a tempestuOus food was enough TO have |
stirred misgvings in the breast Of the |
stoutest; but Harry permitted no time 10
alapse for the gravity OF his undertaking |
10 grow upon him.
Now, Tom" said he. with no percep- |
Iible tremor in his voice. give that |
axe all the ginger there is in that mus
,ular arm Of yours. and let's see how far |
You can land Il on tho other shore. Good |
loss. old fellow he added, as the axe |
shot through the vapory air and landed |
Just beyond a lone tree a few feet above
he water-mark on the opposite bank.
Couldn't be better! It's shame,
hOugh that fine young poplar over |
here wasn't on this side Of the dip. In
hat case. Il would have saved me this
little excursion. However I'm In for II
iow"-takfng OF boots and coat and |
hrowing them back Of him up the knoll
so boys. keep a good clutch on the rope
md follow as the current takes me. and
t l get below that half-uprooted syca-
more that leans out from the other bank
'ull me in. Don't forget! Here she
.oesg and. with graceful spriug he
anded well out into the writing bill
ows.
For a moment he disappeared from
Jew, and the blanched faces Of his friends |
IS they followed the strain OF |
he rope that told keeny they appre-
lated his peril. Their suspense, how
ever. was Of short duration; but when
MS head shot up through the writing
waters he was fully thirty feet below
ne point from which he had taken his |
ilunge, and had gained not an inch on
ne margin between him and the coveted |
hore Suddenly, however. bracing him
elf for a grand effort, his limbs moved
n quick. sturdy, strokes. and. breasting |
he raging tide at an oblique angle for |
he farther bank, he was seen to gain
nch by mich on the opposing element
hough being borne nearer and nearer
oward the dreaded outlet
Keep II up. Harry: you're gaining"
houted Tom. IN tone that truly told
ow thoroughly the emergency had de-
eloped his better nature
"Hurrah for you. Merton you'll get
herer' You're doing brave work, my
erow came almost simultaneously from
)ick and Jack, as they moved along |
cmtching the safety-line.
No response came from the daring
but, as an opening In the clouds
dded 10 the stimulus Of encouragement
rom HIS comrades he urged himself 20
final effort and, despite the waves
|
rOke their foaming crcsts on his
rcnched head. he gained little by
title on the interval between him and de-
verance. until but ten feet separated
i'm from the haven OF safety
Looking down the channel the boys saw
hat he was nearing the sycamore. and
hat the overhanging branch was within
he line Of the swimmers course and near
nough 20 be caught by a wel-time
pring In directing their att ,n.ion 10
his, however, their eyes were TUNED
rom the uneven slope along which they
we're moving. and a break I'm the treach-
rous soil threw Tom upon the hank
lroke his companions hold upon the rome
nd away It went out into the swir Ing
waters
Great G0dl He's lost" exclaimed Jack
Not yet shouted Tom. "By Heavens
eip III cut across 20 the inlet and after
i'm with his skiff II he browns, IN go
own with him.
but looki Hurrahw came I'm Joyous
ccents from Dick. Hes saved. he's
aVedr'
True enough As the rope slipped away
larry turned his head for hasty glance
own stream, and sighting the sycamore