St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1895-06-01
Just In time TO prevent his sinking III
the cruel water. With loud cries he
held tightly to Pete's arms
uSton. Rillyi Wait till pet \ rof,d

held tightly to Pete's arms.
stop, Billyl Wait till get good
gripln
But Billy would not wait. Before
Pete could secure any hold on the logs
a 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 SIS
he arose to the. surface he fixed one
hand firmly on the rough log, then
sought how he might best help Billy
It seemed as If 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.
No, Billy, won't let you go. Say,
Billy, just let go my araa, little fellow,
so can help You Now, upl That's
It. 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 boys father
and mother had been peacefully al
work In their back yard, out of sight
and hearing Of the threatened shadow
on their home.
'Now, Billy, go long to your mother,
and don't you never go on them logs
again. ~
With the caution, half petting, hall
threatening, Pete turned and hurried
to where he had left his cow
Gazing blankly about him, he gave
a Shrek of dismay, then shot away
like an arrow 1oosened from bow.
"Bunkl- -Bunkerl Le' go my COW,
sayf' sss
In his excitement and the rush and
roar OF the water Pete had failed tt
realize the dreadful thing which was
happening. A freight train had backed
ON the switch and coupled on the cal
to which Bunker was securely tied
Bunker had started On a placid wall
with the first pull on the rope, mex
had unwillingly hastened her footsteps
and as Pete's slespairing glance
reached her, was disappearing around
curve on brisk trot.
With repeated cries Pete followed d
his highest speed, the cries gradually
dying away as his breath failed him
The miller and his boys ran outsof th,
yard just in time to wonder whether
Pete had taken leave OF his senses, ans
joined in the chase.
Rounding the curve, Pete could Sc,
Bunker far ahead Of him. Fortunate
", the train xSaS heaviIy laden and no
moving very fast. The trainnen wer,
all on the forward part of the trail
and entirely unaware Of what was 20
ing on.
Quickly out OF breath, and exhaustet
by the compulsory speed, poor Bunke
once remitted her efforts, but the crue
rope dragging upon her compelled he
to go on. It is easy TO guess wha
might have been her fate had not he'll
appeared just as Pete was beginning +
| realize that his small legs were no
equal competitors in race with a rail
| road train.
A farm wagon was approaching tn
track on a road which crossed it. Th
eyes of two or three men in the wagol
| were attracted by the unusual attach
| ment to the train, and the sight Q
Pete's wild gesticulation. With halloo
and waving of hats they brought th
train to a standstiH.
whats the racket"
The men gathered behind the trai
| to find Bunker much the worse for he
| run, and a. tatterdemalion of boy
soaked and painting, sinking down bt
7 side her.
"oh, Bunk, Bunlxln he cried, wit
his first free breath, what'll th
squire say to me now2''
What does it all mean?" asked th
conductor. s.Tel us about 1t, young
ster, observing that everyone but th
boy seemed as puzzled as himsel
"Who tied the cow? How did you 81
i so wet?''
/ 'sI-tied Bunker-on to the car
while ! went to get Billy out o. th
| water
'sBiIly In the waterln exclaimed IL
miller, who had come up.
1T want my. fault said poor Pet
possessed with the idea that. IN ever
feature Of the calamity he must
some way be held blameworthy.
1 mo, ] guess 1t wasn't, said one I
the men. gazing with sympathy on IL
boy. We were just passing and see
the whole thing. Couldn't get thel
till he was comm up the bank wit
the little chap. It's all along o hi
4 you amt goin' to have a funeral
your house this week, miller"
I One of the trainmen flung down
rough flannel shirt in which Pete glaa
ly wrapped himself
/ What's that you call your cow
asked one of the men.
I Bunk. That is, Bunk for shor
Whole names Bunker Hill name
1 her Bunker cause she's Squire Hill
cow, you see!''
IF we were a bigger crowd we
i give three cheers for you and Bunk
Hill,n said the conductor. As '
u can't--hold up his hat. .
Il Pete's eyes beamed in bewi1dermei
i of delight as rattle Of small col
r
sounded in it.
4 IF I had my way, it would be a h
full Of gold, = safd the miller.
4 The train moved on, amid cordi
4 farewells to Bunker Hill and her fait
Fl ful caretaker. ~ TT a;