The Washington times., 1903-09-13
A RACE WITH THE FLOOD.
By GEORGE ETHELBERT WALSH

standing with him. His tail went be-
tween his legs and his ears dropped.
eff you could only help me-" Harold
continued. with a moan, "or go down
and warn the people ia forgive you for
all your bad tricks
The boys voice had softened and in
stantly the tail was wagged in the air
and the ears were pricked up. The wet
nose of Carlo was poked in the boys
hands. Then he raced around him sew
eral times. Suddenly Harold sat up with
a glimpse of intelligence in his eyes.
Carlo had more than once carried home
his basket of fish tied around his neck.
Could he be made to understand now?
In a few moments Harold had scrib-
bled on a piece of paper a warning 10
the people in the valley, telling his
father that he was in the woods under
the dam with a broken leg. but not to
mind him. Word of the danger should
be spread down the valley before II was
too late.
When finished this message, written
on the back of an old envelope. was tied
around Carlos neck. but the dog did not
understand. In vain Harold pleaded with
him TO go home, and then threatened
him. But Carlo was only a dog, and he
could not understand the emergency
message he carried. Then Harold said.
Come here, Carlo, I'll try this"
He tied his empty fish basket around
the dogs neck and pinned the note to 1t
so that any one could see it. Then he
told Carlo to run home. This order was
better understood by the dog He barked
several times and then scampered away.
Under the dam, with the trickling
water in his ears growing louder every
minute. Harold lay for half an hour
longer waiting for his fate, but hoping
and praying that his message of warn
ing would be received in time. He had
faith in Carlo. Nothing but a rabbit.
running across his path would stop him.
1t seemed hours when Harold heard
the distant barking of a dog. 1t grew
louder and nearer, and in the bayfng he
knew that some hound was on the scent
Of a rabbit. AS it approached nearer
the boy recognized Carlos voice. He
sank back on the leaves with a groan
He has failed me-" he said. Now
all is lost
few moments later a rabbit rushed
through the bushes. and five minutes
after Carlo came dashing along hot On
the scent Harold picked up a stick
and threw it at him. Come here,
Carlo. You deserve something worse
than a whipping"
The dog looked dazed then hurried 10
his master. Harold grasped him by the
collar and would have struck him; but
from the woods there came a crash and
voice shouted: Hold up! Don't whip
him. Harold. for he has saved all
Of US"
Harold gave a cry of delight at the
sight of his father, who picked him I'D
ana carried him out of the way of
danger.
Carlo came home with your message
ana then scampered back TO the woods -"
the man said. Il know he ran across a
rabbit trail on his way home, but he
would not stop until he had finished his
errand."
Harold glanced down at Carlo and
patted his head. The dog found this re-
ward aenough for all his efforts. and
started back on the trail II was an old
trick, and IL would be hard to break
him of ii.
The food which rushed down Keene
Valley destroyed many homes, but not a
life was lost owing TO Carlos prompt
delivery OF his message. In the Keene
Valley today, which is built up again.
and the Uhand Lake property damned
there is no more famous dog than Car
10, who has the one bad trick of hunting
rabbits whenever he strikes the trail of
one, and he viii even to this day some
times run away to do It, But Harold
his little owner. does not punish him:
he only shakes his head a little wisely
and sadly. Carlos eyes seem to say that
some day he will reform