The National tribune., 1898-09-08

for that island. Paddle briskly, and get me
over there as quick a. possible
Shorty was tempted to tip the canoe over
then and there, but he restrained himself,
and bent his strong arms to the hard task of
propeiilng the canoe across the strong current
avoiding the driitwood, maintaining his bal
ance, and keeping the bow pointed towar4
the place where he wanted to land
The Lieutenant had sense enough to sit
very still, and rs he naturally had been
drilled into bOlt-uprightness, Shorty had
little trouble with him until they were near
ing the shore. Then the canoe ran into a
swirl which threw it's bow around. For
getting his dignitied pose, the Lieutenant
made grab for some overhanging willows.
=" Let them alone blast you: III bring her
around all right" Shorty started to veil,
but too late. Before the words were out OF
his mouth the cranky canoe went over.
Shorty with the quickness of cat jumped
clear, caught some branches with one hand,
and made grab for the canoe with the other
But he saw the Lieutenant go down head
foremost, with fancy boots disappearing last
lie let the canoe go, to make grab for the
boots. lie missed them, but presently the
Lleutenants head appeared, and he gasped
and sputtered:
Save me, my good man. can't swim
stroke'
Shorty plunged out, succeeded in catching
the Lieutenant by the collar, and after
vicious struggle with the current, grabbed
with his right hand pole that 81 thrust out
TO him, while with his left he dragged the
Lieutenant ashore wetter'n a blamed
drowned West Point muskrat," as be after
ward expressed it.
:" My good man, you saved my life, and I
thank you for it, =" said the Lieutenant when
he recovered his breath . l shall mention
you in my report"
. If you don't stop calling me your good
man I'll chuck you into the drink again, you
wasp-waisted, stiff-backed, ha!f-baked West
Point brevet Second Lieutenant, said Shorty
wrathfully. If you'd had the sense of a
six-months'-old goslin' you'd set still, as l
told you, and let me manage that canoe.
But you never kin learn West Pointer
nothing. He'd try TO give God Almighty
points if he got a chance. Now we've lost
our canoe, and we're in devil of fix. /
feel ike throwin' you back IN the crick."
" Take care. my good - and then the
Lieutenant caught the glare of Shorty's eye.
Take care, sir. You're on the verge of
mutiny. | may have you court-martiale6
and shot, if you're not careful"
" Court-martialed and be blamed, " said ST,
who was as angry as Shorty. You've lost
our canoe, and we may be drowned before
we can git OFT this island. It's got so dark
they can't see US from the shore, the waters
steadily raising, these trees are too small to-
climb, and the Lord knows how we're COINS
to git Off"
Corporal, III see that you're reduced to
the ranks for disrespect to me. / had in
tended to recommend this man for promotion
on account of his great service to the army iB
saving my life. Now | shall see that you are
both punished for INSTRUMENTATION"
INSTRUMENTATION be damned, and you
with it, said Shorty. You'd better bel
thinking how we're to git off this island.
The waters bin raisin' about foot a minute
I've bin watchin' while we wuz talkin'."
The Lieutenant stood dazed, while the
bows were canvasSing plans for saving them
selves
"Pll tell you, Shorty" said ST suddenly.
d" Les ketch one o them big saw-logs that's
comm down, straddie it aud let it carry us
somewhere 1t may take Us into our lines.
better than drowndin'. Here
comes one in the eddy now"
Shorty caught the log with long pole, and
dexterously steered it up close to the shore in
comparatively still water. 81 threw grape
vine over it and held it.
Now, all git on" said Shorty. "Be
careful not to push it away"
g Let me get on ahead" said the Lieuten-
ant, still mindful of his rank, and you two
get on behind, the Corporal next 10 me-"
Not much, Mary Ann" jeered Shorty.
g We want man of sense ahead, to steer.
I'll git on first, then you, and then 81, to
bring up the rear and manage the hind end
of the log"
The Lieutenant had to comply. They all
got safely on, and Shorty pushed of, saying:
Here, sit straight, both of you Here
goes-mebbe for New Orleans, mebbe for
Libby Prison, mebbe for the camp Of the
20Oth Ind"
''We're out on the ocean sailin'."
had dream de udder night,
When all was dark and still;
| saw SuSanuah dressed in white,
A-cOIniu down de hill
De buckwheaU cake wuZ in her mouth,
De tear wuZ in her eye,
Her foot wuz like de elephants hoOf-
Susannah, don't you cry.
o. susannah, don't you cry for me,
For am bound for Alabam. wild my banjo on
my knee.
jumped aboard de bullygraph,
1 tr. billed down the de riUber:
De horse bowed up, de injine run away,
And killed ten thousand uiggerS
D, Susanuah, don't you CRY for me,
For am bound for Alabam, wild my banjo on
my knee.
ITO be contiaued.l