The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-11-23

.UlRSD N ON EN- BIER 9
terrible to departing souls than was
the man. sitting in the stern Of yonder
skin to me. - ss ssss
The boat seems to stop, or at least to
so alta snail's pace. They are turning
to search the mouth Of the creek.
No, It is my imagination; there is the
stern OF the boat, and the officers back
full towards me. The sound grows
fainter. I draw long breath. ....
+ What's that? Listen! A new danger.
Thunk-thunk! Thunk-thunk! Great
heavens! another boat! It is coming up.
We listened and heard the receding
skiff hail the one approaching. There
was a parley; we could hear them talk
ing, but not what they said. After
short conference they separated, one
continuing down, the other coming up
the river. The latter made slow head
way, the oarsmen now and again ceas-
ing to row. .%>z". F.. :4
''They are searching the Shore" said
Margaret. "Pull farther up the creek"
gave a dozen strokes with a long
sweep to each, which sent us around a
bend and right under overhanging
bushes. The approaching boat turned
into the creek as we expected, but came
up only short distance from the
mouth. We heard one of them say
something about the west shore being
nearer the mark, whereupon they left
the creek. Pulling out after them
cautiously, we saw them making for
the other side of the river.
rowed on up, skullking along the
east bank, screened occasionally by
overhanging trees. The boat ahead Of
us searched the west bank for awhile;
then we heard no more of it. We felt
no immediate apprehension till Mar
garet, who knew the river we'll, said
that we were approaching ferry. Be-
lieving it would be watched, we dreaded
to attempt to pass it, and paused under
the branches of a tree for consultation.
CPL tell you," said Margaret. "You
skulk through the woods back of the
ferry to some point beyond it.. I'll
pull the boat up the river. If pass the
ferry I'll go to where you strike the
river, and take you in"
"Where can I meet yOu?"
She thought moment before reply
ing. ga mile above the ferry there is
an island; midway between the upper
and lower end Of this island is creek"
ION this side of the river?"
eyes; I'll meet you at the mouth of
the creek"
She changed her seat and handed
her the oars. margaret" said, with
bit of tremble in my voice, ''good-by."
"No, no, not good-by. I'll meet you
at the creek, depend upon it"
A few strokes drew her away from
the bank. She stopped, rested one hand
on the handles of the oars, and with
the other waved me an adieu, then
pulled out into the river as gracefully
as a water-sprite. I watched her till I
could see her no more; then feeling of
isolation came over me. My little army
was scattered; the escort had probably
been captured; Punk had gone back
to the confederate camp; and now Mar
garet had parted from me.
Skirting the base of a hill, crossed
road, and soon after found myself on
the river bank above the ferry. There
about a mile ahead, was the island, a
line of low timber extending from the
river westward marking the line of the
creek I walked brislxly till struck
the creek at it's mouth, then looked
about for Margaret.
She was not there.
My heart sank within me. felt sure
that if she had arrived she would make
herself known, but thinking she might
be hiding. waiting for me to give some
signal, 1 called:
Margaret"
No reply. How odd ones voice
sounds calling in the night at nothing
The stiffness Knocked me.
I sat on log to rest, and peere6
down the river. wondered what time
it was. 1t must be near morning, bu1
, had passed through so much since
the evening before that it seemed there
had been two nights instead of one
listened for some sound that would
denote pursuit, but could hear nothing
With such perfect quiet about me, i
seemed impossible that T could be il
imminent danger. looked up at thu
moon. It wore no smile tonight; thu
, left cheek was caved in, and there wa:
CHASTITY look on it's face.
At last I gave up all hope of Mar
garet's keeping her appointment.
must swim across the river and pro
coed on my journey. dare not wal
longer, for the morning would come
and it would be sure capture either t.
remain where I was or cross by day
, light.
Making a bundle Of my coat, waist
coat and shoes, 1 tied it between m,
shoulders with withe of willow, the1
stood a moment calculating the dis
lance to the island. was not a goot
swimmer and disliked the prospect; in
, deed, had not the distance been broker
by the island, I would not have daret
to make the attempt. However, dealt
by drowning was preferable to dealt
, by hanging, so walked into tn