The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-06-29

tOn anu VIII uOlu the lOrt uubu you
return"
1t was Mr.. Lyon who spoke. He
had gone to the center of the river
with the coolness of an old log driver
The men obeyed. The greater part
of the logs had passed, the principal
danger being over. Half the river
was yet blocked with logs piled to a
great hight, forming jam that looked
impregnable.
Scarcely had the last man reached
the shore, when a wild cry rose
above the roar of the foaming water
"Merciful Powersl The whole jam
is goingl"
Then wild with a loud cracking, a
terrific roar, and logs went with o
mighty rush over the dam on the Ok
bow shore.
"Good heaven! They ale lostr"
This cry went up, as all eyes were
turned upon Mr.. Lyon and his fore
man, now the only occupants OF the
jam. l. did seem as though they were
doomed, but they were saved for the
time as by miracle. In the center
of the dam few of the logs held
firm, aud soon all had swept through
but thi, bit of jam in the middle of
Che stream. An expanse of foaming
water boiled past on either side, and
the narrow jam swayed and trembled
as it hung suspended over the dam.
Below ten feet, was sea of foam,
where the water, in pouring over the
dam, was lashed to wild fury on rocks
and stones. :
Both men felt the awful danger,
almost certain death, that stared them
them in the face.
"There's no chance for them fell
lers; they're good as gone, that's sar-
tin," uttered River Dan.
Swaying and groaning, the floating
island seemed every moment ready to
go over into the boiling waters below.
A dumb horror rested over the crowd
of startled loggers on shore.
A pallid-cheeked girl, with streaming
hair, reached the waters edge and
stood with outstrctched hands ap-
pealing to strong men for help. No
one moved.
"Are you oil cowards?" she cried,
facing the multitude. Brawny men
with red shirts were there, but none
moved at the appeal from the girls
blanched lips.
"No use, MISS" said River Dan.
''That ar jam won't last many min
nits. No boldly kin help 'em; they're
goners, sure"
Take yonder canoe and go to the
rescue"
Janet would have rushed to the res
cue herself had not strong arms held
her back. Weak, moaning, almost
fainting, the girl pleaded in vain.
"No use; q boat would go over in q
jiffy. Them fellers can't be saved"
"There is one chance in hun
dred."
Allow voice uttered the words, and
Janet saw slender form glide past
toward a small Indian canoe that
rested on the bank. About the mans
arm was coil of rope. When the
man gained the foaming edge of the
water he swung his arm aloft and
cried
"Some OF you take an end of this
rope. 1 am going to rescue those
men if possible.
Goodness! it's the little bookkeep-
eri"
"Hell drown, sure"
But Mark Farnham needed not the
comments of the crowd. He seemed
to realize that time was precious, and
at once pushed the light ashen canoe
into the river. Seizing the paddle,
and fixing his rope so that it would
pay out from between his thin knees,
the little bookkeeper began padding
up the stream. Strong hands had
grasped the end of the rope and it be-
gan paying out rapidly, when Farm
ham turned and shot swiftly into the
center of the stream.
He managed so that the canoe came
down on the upper side of the swaying
jam. Instantly the canoe was sucked
under and lost, but Farnham sprang
to the surface of the logs, rope in
hand, and quickly made one end fast
to an upright log.
"Quick, Mr.. Lyon! There's no
time to lose."
The mill-owner demonstrated, and
urged the bookkeeper to go ahead;
this he absolutely refused to do.
Mr.. Lyon went forward, grasped
the rope and passed, hand over hand,
to the shore. A great shout went up
when he landed.
Next came Dick Wellington. He
was heavy, and the rope sagged badly.
Farnham felt the jam tremble at each
surge Of the foreman's body. Sud-
denly the log to which the rope was
attached gave way and fell. Instant
ly the rope flew far out into the
stream. Dick was near the shore and
was rescued.
The little bookkeeper stood alone
on the jam, which was now trembling
and threatening to fall to pieces.
Farnham's face blanched. He seemed
to realize that he was doomed.
Another canoe, quick Go back,
Dick Wellington, and save Mr..
FarnhamW
1t was Janet who spoke, but the
dripping Apollo turned away with o
shudder
mot for farm would 1 risk my life
out yonder again"
He was not called upon to do so.
A great crash and roar sickened the
crowd ON shore. The jam. with its