The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1902-04-08

land dog: 1t was soon evident that
he was not
The Skipper gained rapidly Billy
felt 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
20 continue the chase.
skipper. old fellow good old dog"
Billy called in a soothing voice.
steady. sir. Down. sir-bacllr'
The dog was not TO bc deceived He
came. 10y turns whining and gaspnc.
He was more excited. more determined.
'han ever. Billy waited for him. The
light was to be face TO face. The boy
| had determined TO keep him off with
his hands until strength failed-to
drown him if ne could All love for
the dog had gone out of his heart.
The weeks of close and merry com
panionship. OF romps and ramblcs
and sport were forgotten. Billy was
| lighting 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 an
angry snap was the result.
Rage seemed suddenly to possess the
dog. He held back for moment.
growing fiercely, and then attacked
with u 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 moment TO live. He felt
his possession going from him
and at that moment his ears caught
| the sound of n voice
Put your arm"
The voice seemed to come rom fer
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-when he came up
and he heard every word
Put your arm around his neckw' one
man cried.
Catch him by the scruf of the
neck" cried another
! Billy's 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
! scruf 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
ful 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-
ton 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 Topsan took the
Skipper aside for long and confiden-
tial talk. Skipper" said ne. 81 beg
your pardon. You see. 1 didn't know
what twas You wanted. I'm sorry I
ever had hard thought against you.
and I'm sorry 1 tried to drown You.
When [ thought you only wanted to
save yourself twas Billy Topsau YOU
were thinking Of When / thought
YOU wanted 90 climb atop of me. twas
my collar YOU wanted to- catch. When
] thought YOU wanted 600 bite me- twas
"a scolding you were giving me for
my foolishncss. Shipper BY. honest.
| beg your pardon Next time It'll
know that an "a Newfoundland dog
wants is % chance to- tow me ashore
And i'll give him whole chance But
skipper don't you think you might
have given me "a chance TO do some
thing for myselft'
At which tho Skipper waggod Lis
uil.-N0uth's Companion