The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1896-08-28
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Dan hoped into the boat Andy took |
up the oars and rowod 10 the rocks, |
fastened his boat 10 some rocks. aud
commenced fishing. Dan was cit
ting by bis side Watching him in-
tently, for IL was Andy's custom 10
give him al tho small fBh ho caught
He had unusually good luck that day,
and bad caught as many ish as he
could very we'll carry. He stopped
and was thinking about going home,
but on looking ut his watch he found
tina: 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 fsb. He
had been lying there but "A few min
utes, he never could tell how il 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
brighten him then, for he knew that
he could get to his boatin 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 tue rising tide and
had 1oated away. He couldsee it far off
in the distance. The water was still
rising. II was now at his ankles. He
saw if assistance hid not reach him in
few hours be would be drowned.
The bird seemed to know of his mas
ter's danger, for he flew upon his
shoulder, uttering a 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 grieyed 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 a 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 a note to his
father tying it around Dams neck be
turned him towards the land aud
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. It 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 a boat with q man in it.
He gave a shout of JOY. Pretty
soon he recognized his father
face. He began shouting again. He
saw his father look up and redoubl'
his efforts. Now only his head wal
above water, and it was still rising
Pretty soon his father got within hail
ing distance and shouted, "for Cod
sake, hold out little longer" The
water slowly crept to his chin. Nov
he had to stand on tiptoe to keep tn,
water out Of his mouth, but it got nC
further. His father bad reached
him and dragged him into the boat
He was too overcome to row any fur
Their. Andy took up the oars anC
rowed back to the land, where BIZ
mother was waiting for him. Sh
clasped him in her arms and showere,
|
his face with kisses, laughing and CRY
ing in turn.
That night at the supper table the.
told him how Dan had come to tn,
door, and finding that he could no
get in, had gone to the window ant
tapped it with his bill until bis fathe
let HMM. They saw the paper aroun
his neck. Reading it, his father hur
ried down to the beach and found hi
boat and saved him.