The Van Buren press., 1895-05-18


the cruel water. With loud cries he
held tightly to Pete's arms.
Stop, Billyl Wait till get good
grip'
But Billy would not wait. Before
Pete could secure any hold on tho logs
o desperate pull from the frightened
child had caused him to lose his bal
ance. The next moment he was pulled
under water by Billy's weight
With Pete's first gasping breath as
he arose to the surface he fixed one
hand firmly on the rough log, then
sought how he might best help Billy.
1t seemed as II both must go down to-
gether, but not once did he think OF
loosening the grasp OF those small,
clinging hands.
Waiting until he had fully recovered
his breath, he, by great exertion, con-
trived to pull himself partly up on the
log.
mo, Billy, won't let you go. Say,
Billy, just let go my arm, little fellow,
so | can help you. Now, upl That's
1t. Take hold here"
With an effort which brought rings
before his eyes and roaring into his
head Pete at length drew Billy to a
safe position on the log, and, still hold
ing him fast, lay back for moment,
dizzy and faint.
Then he sprang to his feet. Bunker
must be seen to. With difficulty he re-
strained his impatience and carefully
led Billy to place of safety.
All this while the small bows father
and mother had been peacefully at
work In their back yard, out Of sight
and hearing Of the threatened shadow
on their home.
Nov, Billy, go long to your mother,
and don't you never go on them logs
again"
With the caution, half petting, half
threatening, Pete turned and hurried
to where he had left his COW.
Gazing blankly about him, he gave
q shrek of dismay, then shot away
like an arrow loosened from bow.
"Bunk!-Bunkerl Lee go my COW, l
say"
In his excitement and the rush and
roar of the water Pete had failed to
realize the dreadful thing which was
happening. A freight train had backed
on the switch and coupled on the car
to which Bunker was securely tied.
Bunker had started On o placid walk
with the first pull on the rope, next
had unwillingly hastened her footsteps
and as Pete's despairing glance
reached her, was disappearing around
a curve on brisk trot.
With repeated cries Pete followed at
his highest speed, the cries gradually
dying away as his breath failed him.
The miller and his boys ran out OF the
yard just in time to wonder whether
Pete had taken leave of his senses, and
joined in the chase
Rounding the curve, Pete could sec
Bunker far ahead Of him. Fortunate
ly, the train was heavily laden and not
moving very fast. The trainmen were
all on the forward part of the train
and entirely unaware of what was go
ing on.
Quickly out Of breath, and exhausted
| by the compulsory speed, poor Bunker
once remitted her efforts, but the cruel
rope dragging upon her compelled her
to go on. 1t is easy to guess what
might have been her fate had not help
appeared just as Pete was beginning to
realize that his small legs were not
equal competitors in race with rail-
road train.
farm wagon was approaching the
track on road which crossed it. The
eyes Of two or three men in the wagon
were attracted by the unusual attach
ment to the train, and the sight of
Pete's wild gesticulation. With halloos
and waving of hats they brought the
train to a standstill.
Whats the racket"
The men gathered behind the train
to find Bunker much the worse for her
run, and tatterdemalion of boy,
soaked and painting, sinking down be-
side her.
''Oh, Bunk, Bunkl" he cried, with
his first free breath, "what'll the
squire say to me now?"
What does it all mean?" asked the
conductor. Tell us about it, young
ster," observing that everyone but the
boy seemed as puzzled as himself.
"Who tied the cow? How did you get
SO wet?"
"I-tied Bunker-on to the car
while l went to get Billy out O the
water"
"Billy in the waterl" exclaimed the
miller, who had come up.
"It want my fault" said poor Pete,
possessed with the idea that in every
feature Of the calamity he must in
some way be held blameworthy.
mo, guess it wasn't" said one Of
the men, gazing with sympathy on the
boy. 1--WE were just passing, and seen
the whole thing. Couldn't get there
till he was comm up the bank with
the little chap It's all along o him
you amt goin' to have funeral to
your house this week, miller"
One Of the trainmen flung down
rough flannel shirt in which Pete glad
ly wrapped himself.
whats that you call your cow?"
asked one Of the men.
Bunk. That is, Bunk for short
Whole names Bunker Hill. l named
her Bunker cause she's Squire Hills
COW, you see!'
"If we were bigger crowd we'd
give three cheers for you and Bunker
Hill," said the conductor. "As we
can't-hold up his hat"
Pete's eyes beamed in bewilderment
of delight as rattle Of small coins
sounded in It,
"If had my way, 1t would be hat
full of gold" said the miller.
The train moved on, amid cordial