Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1901-06-14
HE THREW HIS ARMS AROUND THE LOG.


the threatening rocks, cleverly avoid
ing the gaping whirlpools which swirl
ed on either side. When a third of the
distance had been travelled, in what
seemed only a few seconds, Tom be-
came possessed with a spirit of mis-
chief and thought he would have some
fun with the guide. He gave the canoe
a sudden lurch, with the idea of scar
ing the native. By miracle the craft
did not overturn, the guide lost control
Of 1t for a moment, and when he had
righted it he found that he had been
carried out of his course and was
speeding away to the untried and dan
gerous rocks near the left shore.
After few narrow escapes the canoe
struck on a smooth ledge just beneath
the surface, over which the water rush.
ed madly. The sudden stop threw
Tom from his position in the bow into
the angry current. When he struck
the icy water, the shock was almost
enough to overcome him, but he was a
strong swimmer and managed to keep
af1oat despite the chill. He was swept
along for some distance and finally
succeeded in stopping himself at
large projecting rock, upon which he
climbed. 1t was now almost dark, and
1t was coly by straining his eyes that
he could see the guide and the canoe,
which was still on the ledge, with the
guide vainly striving to paddle off. In
a moment the current caught the ca
noe, and it was hurried into the stream.
AS it swept downward toward Tom he
had sudden impulse to jump for it,
but it passed him with such speed as
to give him no time to even make up
his mind. The guide and canoe soon
disappeared in the darkness, leaving
poor Tom alone on the rock.
The sun had set behind a bank of
clouds, and these were now overhead.
A slow, drizzling rain began to fall
adding to Toms discomfort, for he was
already drenched and shivering. The
deafening roar of the rapids made II
impossible to cry for help.
How foolish it was" he thought to
himself bitterly, mot to sit still and
let the guide manage the boat in peace
don't see how I'll ever get home
again. I can't stay on this cold rock all
night"
Tom was recalled from these
thoughts by the sound of some object
hitting against the rock. Looking
down, he saw that log about ten feet
long had struck the rock and was slow
ly sliding around into the current again.
Almost without thinking, Tom climb
ed from the rock and sank into the
rushing tide, throwing both arms
around the log and lying face down
upon it. He pushed off, and as the cur
rent took up the log the mad ride be-
gan.
In and out among the rocks, over
reefs and past yawning whirlpools the
strange bark hurried on with lightning
speed. Now and then 1t would strike
with more or less violence against an
obstruction, and Tom would get hard
knock and have trouble in keeping his
none too secure position. How the rest
OF that course was covered Tom could
never tell. Many times he gave him
self up for lost, and he prayed as he
had never prayed before. After awhile
he felt the log shooting swiftly into the
still water at the end Of the rapids.
rhe strain had been SO great that the
boy trembled like a leaf and lost con-
seriousness. His hold on the log relaps-
ed. and he dropped into the water.
The splash of his fall drew the atten.
lion Of small party padding in a ca.
noe near by. This was Charles Knox
and party Of friends looking for Tom,
and fortunately they reached him Just
In time.
In few days he had entirely recov.
cred from the effects of his adventure,
but he remained q more sober and wis
er lad.