The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1899-03-24
SETTLED ACCOUNTS.

1 es, Sir
mo, sir"
YES, sir"
stop, boys What is the fuss?"
will Perry says he struck the center.
lie saw the target when 1t was hit, and the
arrow flew back. don't think So"
Nonsense! Let it go
Not easy to let il CO. Dick Field, when
you know YOU are right said Charlie
White
Feel that you are wrong, and it is perfect
ly easy" said his rival, VIII Perry. patron
zingly.
You are a cheat"
At this accusation by Charlie, Will Perry
started and Strengthened up like an Indian
when catching the war.whoop of an enemy.
Then he doubled up his fist.
Il have good mind to level you, Charles
White"
Wills fist was within two inches of Char
lies face, when-what were those words
that began to sound in his ears. words made
so musical by his mothers voicey He that
is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he that ruleth his spirit than he that
taketh city"
Wills arm dropped, as if bullet had hit
it. lie walked silently away
The boys were really fond Of each other.
Charlie, though, was what he sometimes
called himself, Matches" and Wills name
for himself was Powder" Bring matches
and powder together, and you will have an
explosion.
Charlie" said Dick Field walking with
him, you were most to blame"
81 know it. Oh, dear, what do folks
want to camp out for? 1t so tries one.
There, | wish was clam, and didn't have
a tongue.
well, you are not clam. You have
tongue, and two arms, and you must set ne
across the river. must go home tonight"
"All right. | will get the pail at the camp
and fill it with water on the other side. 1t
will please VIII, and will surprise him
with it,"
"Clicli-cliek! cicE-clicl,!" soon came the
sound of Charles and Dicks rowing out in
the stream.
And VIII, he thought he would have a sur
prise for Charlie. He would cook nice sup
per, and make the tent as attractive as pos.
sible.
The supper was cooked; the tent was made
tidy and CHEEKY. 1t was time for water
pail to arrive; Charlie STOPPING over it.
at looks warm and comfortable, don't it?
Things fixed up tirst-rate. This old tent is
home"
And Will Perry, as he said this, walked
up and down the little canvas house very
complacently. In little while he put his
head outside the tent.
Looks black, does it not?"
Far out at sea it was one ominous stretch
of blackness. Near at hand, where the
washes crashed upon the rocks, it was an I'M
easy, tremulous, fluttering, changing mass
OF foam. To look above it into the evening
sky was like gazing into the depths of
black, dismal cavern.
In the west, however, above the low, level
marshes, was strip of golden light. 1t was
a lance of fire, shot by the sun against his
enemy, the night-his last effort.
The tent was on a rough, rocky little is
land, with extensive flats of sand adjoining
| it, that were left bare at every low tide.
at looks shivery," said Will; "and the
water is noisier than ever
The river, rushing out of the marshes,
raced by the island like a mill stream.
"But where is Charlie? 1t is full an hour
since he took the boat and went off. saw
Dick Field with him, and suppose he has
rowed Dick home, but Charlie ought to be
back by this time. What is that?"
Will listened.
"Scme one is calling. Can't be Charlie"
He ran out upon the rocks as far as he
dared, and stood just above the racing,
rushing water in the river, turbulent as a
maelstrom.
''The river makes so much noise, can't
hear; and | am sure | cant distinctly see.
Hark"
"H-e-c-l-p-p!"
"That is it! Whew! Charlie is stuck
somewhere; and have it now. The sound
comes from the ledge in the middle of the
river must save him! Com-m-i.n-g!
Wonder if he heard that?"
Will sprang over the rocks, running TO-
ward sandy cove, where boat was
moored.
Il can take that punt" thought WILL
though it is a clumsy craft, and in those
wild waters don't know how ! shall suc-
ceed"
The boys, in crossing the river, made the
passage at a point further up the stream,
where the water was smoother
''What is that?" asked VIII, stumbling
over an object on the ground. THAT is the
coil of rope father wanted me to take. He
said that string, line or rope may be very
dCCtpldDlc. 1 VIII take IL Win me.
Will reached the punt and, fastening one
end of the rope to a rock, coiled the rest on
the bottom of the boat.
He hesitated as he was about pushing off.
Both the oars in the other boat, and
only this paddle to work with! Risky The
ledge is about-there."
Nearer and nearer to the ledge drifted the
punt.
"Com-ing-g!"
will"
Eye
Round on-this -side-of the--ledge."
Will thought at times the punt must GER
tainly go over, as it rocked so violently. Still
i kept upright And there Charlie was,
black object, by the side of the black ledge,
his feet planted on narrow projection of
rock. clinging with his hands to the summit
Of the rock
Here we are, punt and l."
"Oh, VIII, your voice sounds good as an
angels"
Thankful can be here. Now. just get
in-careful-you know"
Charlie crawled into the hospitable little
punt.
Now. to get back! have a rope here to
pull on"
Steadily, VIII pulled on the rope.
I'VE could not possibly paddle back, Char
i.1.o IL. -