Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-07-03


try to save himself by climbing on
his shoulders.
''Skippery' he cried, you'll drown
me! Get backw
The futility of attempting to COM
mand obedience from crazy dog
struck Billy Topsail with force. He
| must act otherwise, and that quickly
| il he were to escape. There seemed
to be but one thing to do. He took q
long breath and let himself sink
| down-down-as deep as he dared
| Down-down-until he retained breath
| sufficient but to strike to the right and
rise again.
The dog-as it was made known later
rose as high as he could force him
self, and looked about in every direc.
ton, with his mouth open and his ears
rigidly cooked. He gave two short
barks, like sobs, and long, mournful
whine. Then, as If acting upon sudden
thought, he dived.
For a moment nothing was to be
seen of either boy or dog. There was
nothing but a choppy sea in that place.
Men who were watching thought that
both had followed the Never Give Up
to the bottom.
In the mopentary respite under
water Billy perceived that his situa-
ton was desperate. He would rise,
he 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.
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 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 dog!"
Billy called In soothing voice.
STEADY, sir! Down, sir-back"
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-to
drown him If he could. All love for
the dog had gone out of his heart.
The weeks Of close and merry COM
panionship, of romps and rambles
and sport, We're forgotten. Billy was
fighting for life. So hs 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 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 n voice.
Put your arm"
The voice seemed to come from fnr
away. before Iile sentence was COLL
pleted the dogs paws We're again on
Billy's shoulders and the water stopped
the boys hearing. What We're 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 cane up,
and he heard every word.
Put your arm around his neckw one
man cried.
Catch him by the scruT of the
neckr cried another.
Billy's elf-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
1,,,t taf Il TIL Got