Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-07-12

Ill. men: pull hard" cried Colonel
Glover us he saw its huge bulk along
side. Head the boat up the stream
Mr.. Seymour. Forward, there. be
ready to push off with your poles. AS
the result of these prompt uaneuvers
the oncoming mass OF ice. which was
too large To be avoided. instead OF
crashing into them amidships and
sinking the boat. struck them Il quar-
tering blow on the bow and commenced
to grind along the sides of the boat.
which heeled so far over that the wal
ter began to trickle in through the
oarlocks on the other side.
steady, men, said Glover calmly.
"St still for your lives
Bentley had thrown his pole over on
the ice cake promptly and was now
bearing down upon it with all the
strength Of his powerful arms. But
the task was beyond him. The ice AMI
the boat clung together and the ice
was rc-entorccd by several other cakes
which its checked motion permitted To
close with il. The vast mass era she'd
against the side of the boat. The oar
of the first rover was broken short of
at the oarlock. II the others went the
situation of the helpless boat would he
indeed hopeless. The general himself
came To the rescue. Promptly divining
the situation. he stepped forward In
Bentlsy's side and threw his own I'M
mense strength upon the pole. Great
beads OF sweat stood out on Brntley's
bronzed forehead as he renewed his
efforts. The stout hickory sapling bent
and cracked beneath the pressure Of
the two men. but held on. and the boat
slowly but steadily began To swing
clear of the ice These two Ilomcric
men held It Off by sheer strength until
the boat WAS in free water, and the
men. who had sat like statues In their
places. coul, once more Use their oars.
The general stepped back into his
place. cool and calm as usual ana en-
tirely unrutfled by his great eXertions.
Bentley wiped the sweat from his face
and turned and looked back ut him In
admiration.
Friend BENTLEY" he said quietly.
"you are man OF mighty thcws ana
sinews. Had it not been for your pow
erful arms fear we would have had
ducking-or worse
Lord love you. your honor. SAID
the astoniShed sailor. i've met my
match 1t was your arm that saved
us. | was almost done for. ! never
saw such strength rs that. though
when was younger ] would have done
better What II man you would he for
recting tOpsails i'm Il gale Of wind. your
honor. sir" he continued. thrusting his
pole vigorously into Il small and i'm
pertinent cake Of ice in the way. The
general was proud Of his great strength
and not i'll pleased at the genuine ana
hearty admiration of this genuine ana
hearty man.
A few minutes later they stepped
ashore, and mighty cheer went up
from the meE who had crowded upon
the banks at the safety Of their below
ed general. Greene met him at the
landing. and the two clasped hands.
The general immediately mounted his
powerful white horse and stationed
himself on little hillock to watch the
landing of the rest Of the men, engag-
ing General Greene in a low conversa-
ton the while.
"DO you know. Greene, that Gates
has refused my entreaty to stop one
day at Bristol and take command or
Reeds and Cadwalader's troops ana
help us in the attack l did not posi-
lively order him to do so: only request
ed him to delay his journey by day
or two. | can't understand his action.
A letter was handed me just before we
crossed by Wilkinson. telling me thar
he had gone on to congress
.'To congress. What wants he there!
oh. general II seems as il you had I"