Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-11-13

board into the water. Nothing serious
would have threatened, for the man
could swim like an otter, had not q
floating, half submerged log thrust up
some short, stiff stumps of boughs, up
on the points of which the man struck
heavily and was not only hurt, but had
his clothes impaled securely by one of
the ugly spears, so that he hung in Il
helpless position, while the waters mo-
ton alternately lifted and submerged
him, his arms beating about wildly.
When Beverley heard the strangling
cry for help he pulled himself promptly
together, flung off his coat, as if by a
single motion, and leaped down the
bank into the water. He was u swim
mer whose strokes counted for all that
prOdigious strength and excellent train
ing could afford. He rushed through
the water with long sweeps, making n
semicircle. rounding against the cur
rent, so as to swing down upon the
drowning man.
Less than a half hour later a rumor
by some means spread through the
town that Father Beret and Leuten-
ant Beverley were drowned in the Wa
bash. But when a crowd gathered to
verify the terrible news it turned out
to be untrue. Gaspard Roussillon had
once more distinguished himself by an
exhibition Of heroic nerve and muscle.
"Ventrebleu! Duel homme" ex-
claimed Oncle Jazon, when told that
NJ. Roussillon had come up the bank Of
the Wabash with Lieutenant Beverley
under one arm and Father Beret under
the other, both men apparently dead.
Bring them to my house immedi-
ately," NJ. Roussillon ordered, as soon
as they were restored to consciousness;
and he shook himself as a big wet ami
NAL sometimes does, covering every
body near him with muddy water.
Then he led the way with melodramat-
ic strides.
In justice to historical accuracy there
must be trifling reform of what ap-
peared on the face of things to be grand
ly true. Gaspard Roussillon actually
dragged Father Beret and Lieutenant
Beverley one at time out of the eddy
water and up the steep river bank.
That was truly great feat; but the
hero never explained. When men ar
rived he was standing between the col
lapsed forms. painting and dripping.
Doubtless he looked as II he had
dropped them from under his arms,
and why shouldn't he have the benefit
Of great implication?
"I've saved them BOTH" he roared;
from which, of course, the ready ere
ole Imagination inferred the extreme of
possible heroic performance.
Bring them to my house immediate
ly." And 1t was accordingly done.
The procession. headed by NJ. Rous-
sillon, moved noisily, for the French
tongue must shake off what comes to
1t on the thrill of every exciting mo-
ment The only silent Frenchman is
the dead one.
Father Beret was not only well nigh
drowned, but seriously hurt. He lay
for a week on a bed in NJ. Roussillon's
house before he could sit up. Alice
hung over him night and day, scarcely
sleeping or eating until he was past all
danger. As for Beverley, he shook or
all the effects of his struggle in little
while. Next day he was out, as well
and strong as ever, busy with the
affairs Of his office. Nor was he less
happy on account Of what the little ad-
venture had cast into his experience.
1t IL good to feel that one has done an
unselnsh deed. and no young mans
heart repels the freshness of what
comes to him when a beautiful girl
first enters his life.
(To be Continued.)