The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1904-11-10
CHAPTER XII.
Dan I.apham Makes a Discovery.

The storm went out with the tide.
The wind lulled with every receding
wave. Inch by inch Dan Lapham de-
scended the rocks. II would be relief
once more to secure good footing where
he could stand or sit with ease. He
had clung to the side OF the upright
boulders until his fingers were worn to
the quick. His toes ached under the
continual strain and the bones OF his
body seemed torn from the flesh so
long had he been In contact with the
rocks.
When once the tide was out he found
himself upon large nest OF rocks.
This he knew would be the case for he
was acquainted with the bay and river
as one is acquainted with his home and
the landmarks about the place.
At high tide Chinook rocks we're sub
merged, save that one spur near the
center OF the group extended above the
high water mark. II was to this that
Dan had clung throughout the day.
Finding himself again able to walk
about he began to plan for escape. He
had hopes that he might hail some
early morning fisherman by picking a
conspicuous place on the rocks from
which point he could view the river
and bay, but he was anxious to leave
his place Of imprisonment earlier II
possible
He peered into the water at the loot
Of the rocks and examined every nook
and corner, with the hope that he
might find his boat or some other craft
that might have drifted to the place
and lodged.
A few lights in the village TO the
north showed that some OF the inhabi
tants were yet awake. He noticed one
light with which he and all the fisher
men were familiar. II was q light in
an isolated cabin far up the beach.
This light tonight was a source oi
mystery to Dan. It shone from the
cabin Of Ringwold and Sankala. He
had seen them going to their doom
that morning. He did not believe any
earthly power could save them. His
final conclusion was that they had left
the light burning in the early hour Of
morning when they went out into the
storm or that their bodies had been re-
covered by the life savers and neighbors
who were sitting up with the dead.
Poor sankalal Dan sat down upon
the rocks and reflected. He thought o.
the fIail girl whom he had 80 often as
sisted in fishing her net while her ageC
companion sat helpless in the boat
He thought OF how cheerful the littl
one worked day after day to sustain he
protector. He thought Of the sell
denial, of the bravery and kind hear
Of the girl and then he saw the limo
cent conhding blue eyes as they had 8
often thanked him when he rendere
her assistance at the traps, and bi
tear stole into the eyes Of the youn
} athlete. In the very darkness he wa
handsome. His black hair hung abou
his head in graceful wavy curls. Hi
, broad shoulders were erect and his arm
and neck exhibited strength and beau
: ty. He had not a superior in physius
courage, self control or popularity i
, the village.
, "Poor Sankala!" he murmured. "
neglected the child. never reall
helped her as l should. She was Dc
, serving. She was frail. | am strong
But why did not think of this i
time2"
} He cast one longing glance at tn
! light in the cabin and then turned :
look about for a means Of escape. Tn
water now rested calm and black abou
him. 1t was only off toward the ba
that he could hear the roaring of tn
waves and see an occasional white ca
leap up between him and the horiEol
beyond. The storm was gradual
skulkine away toward the center Of tn
great deep.