The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-12-06

= OK days the river had been
~ rising. The levees above
were gone for miles and
miles, and the mad waters had
swept over the banks, carrying for
tunes and even lives before them. On
one of the big plantations opposite
Shreveport, La, every effort was be-
ing made to withstand the food.
Hands were collected from every cab
in and recruited from all the adjoin-
ing places to strengthen the water
soaked levees, which shook on the
pressure of a mans foot
1t was almost dusk, but the men who
had not rested for days worked with
the strength of fresh vigor as the voice
Of Tom Aiken, the planter, directed
them and cheered them on to the task
which seemed so hopeless as the water
crept steadily higher and higher.
But for the fact that every one was
busy with his work, a little cOlored
boy, who suddenly dropped his spade
and stole away between the wheels
of the big sand wagon, might have
been seen as he scurried away around
the curve in the embankment. He ran
quickly along for a full quarter of a
mile without looking back down the
narrow, slippery road that was left
between the cotton rows and the levee.
The boy slackened his pace when he
became convinced that no one was in
pursuit of him, and as he did so he
heard the loud, CHEEKY voice of Tom
Aiken back at the break, "All work
together, bOysp'
In his eagerness to reach the coveted
goal the boy quickened his pace again
1t was now almost dark, but his eyes
had grown accustomed to the gloom
He could see the curving line Of the
levee which seemed to tremble with a
premonitiOn of its own inadequacy.
He could see all the water pools in
the road. His little legs had measured
perhaps a mile more when the omin-
Gus roar Of the river made him stop
and peer over the levee at the rushing
waters.
AS he scrambled up the slippery bank
a clod of loosened earth fell heavily
into the road below, and through the
Orifce which 1t left a little stream of
muddy water trickled. The boy caught
his breath quickly when the water
ran over his hand.
He exclaimed: "Dere's gwinc to be
a break right here. What 1 gwinC
do?"
He stopped to reconsider. There
was still another mile before he coulC
reach the point, and he knew there
was only q few old women in the cab
ms there, and he could get no hell
from that source. 1t was more thar
a mile back to where the men wer
working, and he was afraid to shov
himself there after having run away
Besides, there was not a moment t
lose. What was to be done must b
done at once. The boy knew that
great responsibility rested upon him
If the little opening were not stoppe
Immediately it was only a questio
of few moments before the Who'll
levee would be swept away.
He stood up and looked about hin
There was no one in sight. He though
he might find a bag of sand droppe
by a passing wagon, but there wa
none. With sudden purpose he turne
and sat down over the little creviC
through which the water came. I'll
soft earth yielded to his weight, an
with his hands and feet he pressed
about him, patting it to make It fir
The difficulty had been solved wit
out his volitlon almost 1t was on
after it was done that he thought
the consequences. He calculated
his unreasoning way that it was
o'clock. How long would he have
remain there? For aught he knew t
morning. He began to suffer by al
by from his cramped position, but