Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-12-30
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By IRVING BAcHELLER

mile off-and what I had taken for
near football shrank away. I knew
now that it was the beat Of oars in
some far bay.
A long time after ceased to hear
it, something touched my shoulder and
put me in a panic. Turning over, l
got a big mouthful Of water. Then I
saw it was a gang Of logs passing me,
and quickly caught one Now, to me
the top side of a log was as easy and
familiar as q rocking chair. Ina mo-
ment l was sitting comfortably on my
captive. A bit of rubbish, like that
the wind had sown, trailed after the
gang of logs. I felt 1t over, finding a
straw hat and piece Of board some
three feet long, with which latter I
padded vigorously.
1t must have been long past mid
night when I came to an island bonn
ing in the dark ahead. sculled for
it, stranding on rocky beach, and
alighted, hauling the log ashore. The
moon came out as I Rtood wrifgiug
my trouser legs. saw the island rose
! high and narrow and was thckly
wooded. 1 remember saying something
to myself, when I heard quick stir
In the bushes near me. Looking up,
saw tall figure. Then came ! ia
miliar voice.
"Thet you, Ray? Judas Priest !"
was filed with Joy at the sight Of
D'ri, and put my arms about him
and lifted him OF his feet, and, f,ith!
know my eyes were as wet as my
trousers. Then, as we sat down, I
told him how I had taken to the river.
Lucky We done it," said he. Ger
ushy Jane! II is terrible lucky! They'd
a. TUX ye sartin. Somebody see thet
jack on the back o. my hand, there
n Cornwall, n put 'em after me. But I
was bound n determined they'd neyer
TEX me alive, never! Ct I ever dew
any fightin', t amt a-goin' t be Ter
England, nut by side o sole-leatfer.
I med up my mind I'd begin the var
right then an there"
'That fellow never knew what bit
him." I remarked. "He did mt get mp
Tor half a minute"
'sMust "a swatted i'm powerfd,
<aid D'ri. as he felt his knuckhs.
"Gol-dum ther picturs! Go n try {
yank a man right OF boat like tht
air when they hahn NO right t te'h
i'm. Ef ID a he'd OF Beeswax, some
on 'em d a. got hurt"
How did you get here?" inquired.
"Swum," said he. "Could mt 60 ne
where's else. Current fetched me herr.
Splits ct the head O. the island-boui'
ter land ye right here. Got t. be moN-
in. They'll be efters us, msbbe-'s tfe
fust place they d look" !
A few logs were stranded on thu
stony point of the island. We withel
three others to mine, setting sal
with two bits of driftwood for paddles
We pulled for the south shore, but the
current carried US rapidly down-river.
In a bay some two miles below we
found, to our Joy, the two sections OF
the big raft undergoing repairs. At
daybreak D'ri put OF in the woods for
home.
Don't like the idee o. goin' int the
British navy" said he. "D ruther
chop wood n ketch bears over n st.
Lawrence county. Good-by, Ray! TEX
care O. yerself."
Those were the last words he said to
me, and soon I was on the raft again,
floating toward the great city Of my
dreams. had a mighty fear the
schooner would overhaul us, but saw
nothing more Of her. got new clothes
in Montreal, presenting myself in good
repair. They gave me hearty welcome,
those good friends Of my mother, and
I spent a full year in the college, al
though, to be frank, was near being
sent home more than once for fighting
end other deviltry.
It was midsummer when came back
again. l travelled up the river road,
past our island refuge Of that dark
night; past the sweeping, low-voiced
currents that bore me up; past the
scene Of our wreck in the whirlwind;
past the great gap in the woods, to
stand open, God knows how long.
was glad to turn my face to the south
snore, for in Canada there was now
q Geld welcome for most Yankees, and
my fists were sore with resenting the
bitter taunt. I crossed In boat from
IroQuois, and D'ri had been waiting
( for me half a day at the landing.
was never so glad to see man-never
but once. Walking home l saw corn
growing where the forest had been
acres Of it.
"D'ri," said I, in amazement, chow
did you ever do it? There's ten years
work here"
God helped u.s." said he, soberly,
THE trees went over n the windfall
slammed 'em down lux tenpins fer a
mild er more-an' we jes' burnt up the