Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-09-22


must make it. my boy. or some brave
lads will go under before daylight. We
will make it, or die trying. won't we!
Come now! steady! SO. Pick your way
and don't slip OH the loose stones"
Billy had given II loud snort Of fear,
and evidently shrunk back as they
struck the water rushing by the low
stable. but Dave encouraged him with
hand and voice. and they began to go
carefully down the slope.
| Road there was none, sand and rocks
were already washed together. and SO
slippery that the stout little horse
could scarcely keep his footing.
Hold hard. good boy! Hold hard!'
Dave had always talked to Billy as he
would to cOmrade. firm in the belief
that the little fellow understood every
word, as no doubt he did.
Hold hard. Billy! remember the
boys are waiting for us. there's no one
else to warn them. Keep it up a little
longer. most mile now, when we
cross the bridge it won't be quite so
steep"
But could they cross ut all? He knew
what force Wolf Greek could gather, as
it went raging, tearing. leaping down
the wild mountain ravines-he feared
that the bridge might be shaky even be-
fore they could reach lt-and then?
| With a grOan, not for himself, but for
the men sleeping in the lower camp I'M
aware of the dire death rushing so
swiftly down to devour them. he put
the spurs to his gallant little beast. and
they spend on their perilous mission.
The wind howled. the water foamed.
the thunder crashed and echoed
through the heights, but Dave was
glad that the lightning played almost
necessarily. for without it. his danger
GUS path would have been shrOuded in
deep darkness.
A turn round the rocks. and Wolf
Creek bridge was just before them. AS
the fiery flash lit up the sky. Dave
gave IA loud cry of alarm. Bridge there
was none. 1t fioated in pieces on that
wild torrent, and what mortal man
dare stem the raging food? Yet, brave.
true hearted Dave did not draw rein
one instant-cven that tiny speck of
time must not be lost now.
Christ save u.s. he breatlled fer
vently as ardent prayer as ever went
up in the arched aisles of the cOstliest
cathedral, though uttered alone in the
echOing aisles of the rugged noun
tain at dead of night. Then to Billy.
with an encouraging pat of wet neck
under his hand, he said in his kindliest
tones:
God bless you. little fellow. and help
us get over! We can both swim, and
we must try 1t. It's for the boys, you
know. Go on. lad! We'll cross, or die
together. Go on, boy! Steady now" 5
Billy uttered the harsh scream of a
terrified animal. and obeyed Dawes
WILL and they plunged into the boil
ing water. On, on they struggled. while
the wind raved and the water roared,
once or twice struck by some piece of
floating timber which threatened to
part them. and hurl them both to in
slant death.
ate strength. and they kept on. SUD
denly Billy gave another cry. and Dave
felt him struggle, while at the same
instant his own 1.-the limbs were
caught and held prisoner with clutch
ing arms.
We're tangled in the debris! It's all
over now" he groaned then with fran
tic energy he shouted aloud:
mo. no. Billy. we don't die like rats
in Il trap! We must save the boys.
Pull. brave fellow! Tug hard and get
free. Pull, Billy, pull"
But If Billy did free himself. Dave
knew he would be jerked from the sad
die. for one of his feet was fast in the
submerged debris which was drawing
them both down stream.
Oh. God. to get that foot loose while
there was time! With wild despair Ii"
took one hand from the reius. managed
to feel in his pocket and get out his
knife. TO let 90 with the other hand
he dared not. but he opened the knife
with his teeth. and while Billy strug
gled to disentanylc his own legs. Dave
bent over and desperately cut the shoe
from his foot. He cut the flesh. too.
but he did not even feel that now, rs he
drew the foot from the shoe. and was
free once more. Another frantic tug.
and Billy was loose asO-both went
under the water in the sudden release
from the strain. and were nearly
| drowned.
But they rose again. Just rs friendly
flash OF lightning showed Dave that
they had almost gained the shore.
"Once more. Billy. one more tug. and
We'll make it,"
The poor, spent. half-drOwned little
horse responded nobly. and the next
minute they struggled to the bank. and
Wolf Creek was crossed.
THANK God" painted Dave, urging
his horse to press onward. though both
We're trembling piteOusly with cold and
pain. and the blood. unnoticed by him.
was streaming from his bare foot.
On. on. but little ways yonder. with
the raging. scethng flood only short
distance behind them. carrying death
| and destruction on its broad breast.