The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-04-05

| ton was desperate. lie WOuiu Tiso'
b. was sure, but only to renew the
struggle. How long he could keep the
dog off he could not tell. Until the
punts came down to his aid? He
thought not.
i He came to the surface prepared to
dive again. But the Skipper had dis
appeared. An ejaculation Of thanks
giving was yet on the boys lips. when
the dogs black head rose and moved
swiftly toward him. Billy had a start
of ten yards-or something more.
He turned on his side and set off at
top speed. There was no better swim
mer among the lads of the harbor. Was
he match for powerful Newfound-
land dog? 1t was soon evident that
he was not.
| The Skipper gained rapidly. Billy
felt a paw strike his foot. He put
more force into his strokes. Next the
paw struck the calf Of his leg. The
dog was now upon him-pawing his
back. Billy could not sustain the
weight. To escape, that he might
take up the fight in another way, he
dived again.
| The dog was waiting when Billy
came up-waiting eagerly, on the alert
to continue the chase.
Skipper, old fellow-good old dogw
Billy called in a soothing voice.
STEADY, sir! Down. sir-backr'
The dog was not to be deceived. He
came, by turns whining and gasping.
He was more excited, more determined,
than ever. Billy waited for him. The
fight was to be face to face. The boy
had determined to keep him off with
his hands until strength failed-tc
drown him If he could. All love fol
the dog had gone out Of his heart
The weeks of close and merry com.
partnership, of romps and rambles
and sport, were forgotten. Billy was
fighting for life. So he waited with.
out pity. hoping only that his strength
might last until he had conquered.
When the dog was within reach Billy
struck him in the face. A snarl and az
angry snap was the result.
Rage seemed suddenly to possess the
dog. He held back for a moment,
growing fiercely, and then attacked
with a rush. Billy fought as best he
could, trying to catch his enemy by
the neck and to force his head beneath
| the waves The effort was vain; the
dog eluded his grasp and renewed
| the attack. In another moment he
had laid his heavy paws on the boys
shoulders.
| The weight was too much for Billy.
Down he went, freed himself, and
struggled to the surface, gasping for
breath. 1t appeared to him now that
he had but a moment to live. He felt
his self-possession going from him
and at that moment his ears caught
the sound of voice.
| Put your arm"
| The voice seemed to come from fur
away. Before the sentence was COM
pleted the dogs paws were again on
Billy's shoulders and the water stopped
the boys hearing. What were they
calling to him? The thought that some
helping hand was near inspired him.
With this new courage to aid, he
dived for the third time. The voice
was nearer-clearer-w he came up,
and he heard every word.
put your arm around his neckr' one
man cried.
"Catch him by the scru1f of the
neckw cried another.
Billy's self-possession returned. He
would follow this direction. The Skip
per swan anxiously to him. 1t may
be that he wondered what this new at
titude meant. 1t may be that he hoped
reason had returned to the boy-that
at last he would allow himself to be
saved. Billy caught the dog by the
scruff of the neck when he was within
arms length. The Skipper wagged
his tail and turned about. There was
a brief pause, during which the faith
full old dog determined upon the direc-
ton he would take. He espied the
punts, which had borne down with all
speed. Toward them he swan, and
there was something of pride in his
mighty strokes, something of exulta-
tion in his whine. Billy struck out
with his free hand, and soon boy and
dog were pulled over the side Of the
nearest punt.
Through it all, as Billy now knew,
the dog had only wanted to save him.
| That night Billy, Topsail took the
Skipper aside for long and confiden-
tial talk. Skipper" said he, 81 beg
your pardon. You see, l didn't know
what twas you wanted. I'm sorry 1
ever had hard thought against you,
and I'm sorry I tried to drown you,
When / thought you only wanted to
save yourself. twas Billy Topsail you
were thinking of. When / thought
you wanted to climb atop of me, twas
my collar you wanted to catch. When
thought you wanted to bite me- twas
a scolding you were giving me for
my foolishness. Skipper. by, honest,
| beg your pardon. Next time I'll
know that all a Newfoundland dog
wants is a chance to tow me ashore.
And I'll give him whole chance. But,
Skipper, don't you think you might
have given me chance to do some.
thing for myselfT'
i AT which the Skipper wagged his
tail.-Youth's Companion.
Il The Thr0b Artistic.
Il you've heard of people who liked
to buy books and magazines with I'm.
cut leaves because they took sort