The free press., 1896-08-20
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| fastened his boat to some rocks, anu
commenced fishing. Dan was sit
ting by his side watching him in-
tently, for it was Andy's custom to
| give him all the small fish he caught.
He had unusually good luck that day,
and had caught as many fish as he
could very we'll carry. He stopped
and was thinking about going home,
but on looking at his watch he found
that it was early yet, and determined
to rest before going. He lay down in
| the shadow of the rocks and was think
ing how surprised his mother would
be when he showed her the fish. He
had been lying there lat few min
utes, he never could tell how it hap
pened, but he fell asleep. He was
suddenly awakened by feeling the
water ripping around his feet. He
started up in surprise, but it did not
frighten him then, for he knew that
he could get to his boat in time. Gath
ering up his fish he called Dan and
started for the boat, but judge of his
horror at finding that his boat had
become loosened by the rising tide and
had foated away. He could see it far off
in the distance. The water was still
rising. 1t was now at his ankles. He
saw if assistance hid not reach him in
a few hours he would be drowned.
| The bird seemed to know of his mas
ter's danger, for he flew upon his
shoulder, uttering queer noise all
the time, as if warning him of his
danger. Andy went to the highest
part of the rocks, there he sank down,
overcome, and wept. He wondered
what his mother and father would
think. He knew how grieved they
would be if he should never come
back. Suddenly he remembered the
little prayer his mother had taught
him, and that God would help those
who would ask Him. He sank upon
his knee and prayed long time.
When he had finished he felt better
and more hopeful.
All at once an idea struck him. Why
not let Dan carry message to his
father? Hastily taking pencil from
his pocket he wrote note to his
father tying it around Dams neck he
turned him towards the land and
pitched him in the air. The bird cir
cled around twice and then started
towards the shore. How Andy prayed
that he would safely take the message
to his father. The water was now up
to his knees. 1t rose slowly, but sure
ly. Now it was up to his waist and
then his shoulders. He began to lose
hope. Would his father never come!
He strained his eyes, hoping to see
him coming. Suddenly he saw dark
object on the water. He continued
to watch it. Finally it outlined it
self into boat with man IN 1t.
He gave a shout of joy. Pretty
soon he recognized his fathers
face. He began shouting again. lie
saw his father look up and redouble
his efforts. Now only his head was
above water, and it was still rising.
Pretty soon his father got within hall
ing distance and shouted, "for Gods
sake, hold out little longer. The
water slowly crept to his chin. Now
he had to stand on tiptoe to keep the
water out of his mouth, but it got no
further. His father had reached
him and dragged him into the boat
He WAS too overcome to row any fur
ther. Andy took up the oars and
rowed back to the land, where his
mother was waiting for him. She
clasped him in her arms and showered
his face with kisses, Laughing ana cry
ing in turn.
That night at the supper table they
told him how Dan had come to the
door. and finding that he could not
get in, had gone to the window and
tapped it with his bill until his father
let him in. They saw the paper around
his neck. Reading it. his father hur-
ried down to the beach and found his
boat and saved him.
| Dan was the hero of the day. He
was petted and praised by everyone,
and when he died few years later,
Mr.. Royson had him buried in the
family burial ground, and tomb
stone erected over his grave with these
| words inscribed: Here lies Dan a
har, ~ Atlanta Journal ~-t