Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-09-11

hand, was just contriving to keep
his head above the surface. He was
swallowing great gulps Of water with
every movement, and was unques-
tionably on the verge of sinking.
"Stick to It'll" yelled Rossiter, with
out slackening speed, "Il be with
you in a minute
One spring took him down upon
the caked mud below the overhanging
sod, and second carried him waist
deep into the river. Then he struck
out with vigorous strokes. He ap-
preached the exhausted swimmer
cautiously, knowing if he would save
him he must not allow himself to be
caught in his drowning grip. When
just beyond the reach of his arm
he paused. The poor fellow made a
frantic effort to seize hold upon him,
but Rossiter was watchful and easily
eluded his grasp. 1t was like the last
flicker of dying flame. With a
gasp and gurgle the man gave over
the struggle. Here was Rossiter's op-
portunity, and he was alert to i'm
prove it. AS the sinking bather's
head was disappearing he gave n
powerful forward plunge. Out went
his hand, and his strong fingers were
fastened in a mop of soaking hair.
There was but a spark of conscious
ness left in the body of the man
when Rossiter jerked his head above
water. H. was well-nigh dead
weight, and his rescuer had no diff
Guilty in whirling him about and
gripping him beneath the armpits.
In this wise he pushed him ashore.
He began to revive a little as shall
low water was reached, and was able,
with Rossiter's arm encircling his
waist, to drag himself up to the grass
of the bank, where he sank in q
limp heap. Presently he began to
vomit violently, whereat the boy who
had been standing by, mouth agape
and speechless, commenced to moan
and whimper.
cts the best thing that could hap
pen,'' said Rossiter, reassuringly.
Hell come around all right short
ly."
Indeed, it was not long before the
rescued man sat up, a look of dis
gust and loathing upon his features.
Mother of Moses!" he exclaimed,
but I shouldn't want Mohondaga
water for steady diet!"
He caught Rossiter's eye and
smiled wanly.
You were just in time," he said.
Jim, there, amt worth shucks. He
can't swim stroke. Another min
ute. an I'd "a croaked."
cit was rather a close shave,'' OBJ
served Rossiter.
Gee, yes!'' This was said with
considerable emphasis, and sus-
picion of color began to creep into
the young mans pallid cheeks.
He was perhaps 20 or 81 years OF
age, and as Rossiter now glanced from
his face to that of the boy, who had
| edged close to him, he saw at once
from the strong resemblance between
| them that they must be brothers
| the younger hardly more than 16
| They were not unattractive faces
| either of them, and in the elders
Rossiter read lines of determination
| and self-reEance that made him fol
| the instant envious. Both were
SHINY fashioned, with slight stooI
to the shoulders, and both had the
| lifeless compilations OF those who
spend little time in the open air
They had clear eyes of steel-blue
and the hair of the elder curlei
slightly. He had, moreover, an in
| significant brown mustache.
Come out in the sum-" said RIOS
| sitter to the one he had rescued
it'll brace you up"
He gave the young man helping
hand, and steadied him after he hat
got upon his feet.
"Cripe, but I'm weak" the whilon
swimmer said. "You wouldn't thinl
it 'ud take it out of fellow So" AM
he sat down near where he had lai'
his clothes.