Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1895-04-20

ward. The latter refused to obey,
but by applying the spurs unmerci-
fully he succeeded In starting him,
and with o snort OF terror he sprang
into the water.
The current whirled them under
in thrice, and the lieutenant had
oil 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 sunk 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 It 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 Q feeling
OF horror that the river was rapidly
narrowing 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
of into the water to begin struggling
desperately for life.
With an energy born OF despair he
struck out for tho bank. His strength
was soon spent. With Q 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 gras1ed them, contriving to wind
their long ends around his body.
Then, dashed to and fro by the mer.
CHESS current, he sank into uncon.
seriousness.
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 0 few feet above the water.
He looked up to the top Of the bank
and Rroaned as he realized his ina.
bllity to reach It unsided.
"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 little girl
OF q or Z years, and as the soldier be-
held her he forgot his own peril for
the time In his surprise ut her pres.
ence.
"Who are you, child:" he asked.
"Bessie." she answered.
'Bessie who?"
'Just Bessie"
"Have you no other name:' he
asked.
mo, SIR"
How did you come here:"
didn't treat me good. They locked
me In tho smoke house, but ] got
out and ran OF yest'day morning"
Grey uttered cry OF surprise.
"Was 1t Tom Jones who put you
thors?" he asked.
Eyes. sir; he's bad man."
II believe you, child," said the
soldier.
He began looking around again.
There was a wild vine running along
the top OF the bank, at sight OF
which an Idea came to him. He
managed to get out his knife, and,
after opening 1t, tossed it up to the
child.
Take the knife, Bessie, and cut
that vine In two; but be careful you
don't cut your fingers" he said.
She did as directed, and after
much difficulty succeeded.
Now pull one end over the bank
80 can reach It," he went on.
But this was no easy task for her
After doing oil she could the vlnt
was stiM n foot or more above him
He contrived to draw himself NJ
SUN ciently to grasp it, however
then seizing it firmly he allowed hi
weight to fall back upon 1t. Beinl
, we'll entangled in the bushes above
1t sustained him nicely.
Then began the task OF climbing
, up. In his weak condition this wal
J exceedingly arduous, and when III
finally reached the summit and drew
himself over the edge his strength
, left him and he would have iallel
! back had not Bessie seized his arm
3 and tugged with all her might. sh'
| could not do much, OF course, blu
Just that little assistance was all h
: needed and a moment later he wa
Q safe.
I Grey now stretched himself out 10
O long rest and the child told hin
more about how she came there. Sh
had ran away tho preceding afternoon
). crossing the bridge which was subse
0 quently destroyed, and finally los
8 her way. Wandering around til
: night she sank exhausted near tn
river, where she must have slept TO
d hours. She refused to 90 back to tn
Q people she had left aud Newton do