Middletown transcript., 1897-02-06
aside, he inquired anxiously of Joe whetb-
er they could save The boat.

aside, he inquired anxiously of Joe whetb-
er they could save The boat.
"Well," replied Joe mournfully for be
was in full sympathy with Frog Bottle, If
we could reach it before the river takes it
from its present position, we might; but the
current is too swift for me. am not the
swimmer you are, and for US to attempt to
save it would be dangerous undertaking
anyhow"
While they were discussing the situation,
Ia Cline was seen coming! across the field
with fishing pole on his shoulder. For
him the boys had no love; in fact, he was
liked by nobody. He was the emeanest boy
in the neighborhood. He was the bully;
besides, he was lazy. He was never known
to work. When not fishing, he was roam
ing through the woods with an old musket
on his shoulder. Perhaps at any other time,
the boys would have been sorry to see this
big rough fellow approaching; for he had
compelled them more than once to move
their poles, in order that he might fish in
their place. He stole Frog Bottles boat
when he pleased; and when he was through
with it, if it did not suit him to return the
boat to its proper place, he would tie it to
bush and go home, leaving Frog Bottle to
find it the best way he could.
Now, however, the boys were glad to see
Ia coming. He was an excellent swimmer
and daring fellow. When he saw the
boys, he ,began; "Confound you fellersl
You rascals always have my place when I
come fishin'. You can just pull up your
lines and let me have my old pla Amt
she high2 Why, you fellers might as well go
home. 1t will be good day for Joe to
make pills for the doctor, and Frog Bottle
can clean the harness or work in the stables.
Hello, Frog Bottle, what's that whimperin'
about2 Can't feller joke you little with
out your blubberin' over2"
"It's not that" said Frog Bottle, as he
wiped the tears from his eyes with his
sleeve.
mo; it's not, broke in Joe. Don't you
you see his boat there on the island, ready
to be swept away at any moment2"
so it is" said Ia dropping his guilty
head for it flashed upon him that he had
used the boat the evening before, and had
not fastened it securely, "Just my luck"
he said to himself; then throwing down
his fishing pole, he said laughingly, "Fellers'
that boat must be saved. Why, I'll need
it this summer for fshin,' won't I, Frog?
Joe laughed at Za's smart remark, and
even Frog Bottle smiled.
"0f with your clothes, Frog Bottle"
ordered Ia. as he kicked off his own big
boots; "the river is comm up with a jump
and there's no time to lose."
"You are both good swimmers" said Joe
thoughtfully; but "boys it's dangerous.
Let the boat go; perhaps it will be picked
up by some one below"
"Of with them Clothes" demanded Ia;
"Joe amt runnin' this thing just now"
When the two boys were ready, they
stepped into the water, and were almost
hurled to the boat by the swift current.
Neither Ia nor Frog Bottle was afraid of
but, as they stood in the boat,
chilled through by the cold water and colder
air, they began to realize the danger of
their undertaking. 1t was an easy matter
to swim down stream: to row boat against
a swift current was another thing alto
gether. They also realized that the river was
rising rapidly, and the distance to the shore
was widening every moment.
Tne f1nH u, La,- l.
make haste, and waiting to grasp the boat,
# his companions should succeed in row. |
ng it across the intervening current. "a
seated himself and grasped the oars tightly,
while Frog Bottle pushed the boat away
from the brush. za's first strokes brought |
he boat squarely against the mad waves.
Again and again he made quick strokes,
out his strength proved unequal to the
pressure of the water. Frog Bottle saw
his and shouted, Pull, Ia, the boat is
coming backI The right oarI The boat is
urningl'
1t was too late. As Ia lifted his oars for
me more desperate effort, the boat whirled,
and shot down the stream with the swift
less Of bird
"Down, Frog Bottte," cried "a" or the
branches will drag you into the water.
we are lostl and it's my fault"
Help! helpl" came from poor Joe, as the
'oat disappeared among the trees. 20
'oysl told you it was a dangerous un-
he sobbed, as he threw himself
n the ground. He felt that he would
ever see his companions again.