Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-11-11

protector. He thought OF the SELF
denial, of the bravery and kind heart
of the girl and then he saw the lnno-
cent confiding blue eyes as they had so
often thanked him when he rendered
her assistance at the traps, and big
tear stole into the eyes OF the young
athlete. In the very darkness he was
handsome. His black hair hung about
his head in graceful wavy curls. His
broad shoulders were erect and his arms
and neck exhibited strength and beau
ty. He had not superior in physiue,
courage, self control or popularity in
the village.
"Poor Sankala!' he murmured. 81
neglected the child. I never really
helped her as / should. She was de-
serving. She was frail. | am strong.
But why did I not think of this in
time?'
He was too active to remain pris-
oner on the rocks dur ng the entire
night and yet he did not feel wholly
safe in attempting to swim. He knew
that a quarter of mile in calm water
was no task, but the waves might have
doubled or even tTebled this distance
between the rocks and the island.
They cut the sand like monster steam
shovel on such occasions, and the dis
tance was now matter of speculation.
Still the chances were as favorable for
a in and a reduction of the distance,
and the hardy fisherman was inclined
to make the attempt.
There were many chances in his favor
for escape when once upon Sand island.
Numerous fishermen left their boats
there through the night, and even
though these were swept away by the
storm there was probability that 9TH
ers had lodged upon the beach. There
was always wreckage of all sorts found
on Sand island after storm, and usu-
ally there were many boats.
The water was cold, it was true,
but Dan was also cold. He had re-
mained cramped upon the rocks until
any kind of action would be a relief to
scended to the waters edge and peered
out over the surface toward the stretch
of sand. Selecting what he thought
was the nearest point of the island,
| he took mountain peak far to the
southeast as guide, and eased himself
into the water.
There is no danger along this shore
| to a man in the water except the ele-
ments themselves. The man eating
shark so much feared in southern wat
ers never makes his appearance at this
point. 1t is only the extreme low tenn
perature of the water that endangers
the lives of those who are subjected to
it and of this Dan was not ignorant.
He knew that he could swim an unlim.
tied distance should the water moi
cause his limbs to cramp.
But the distance was made without
incident. The shores of the island had
not been materially changed, and when
the young fisherman rose up in the
shallow water at the approach of the
island and waded ashore, he felt thai
his troubles were coming to an end.
But he was destined to be surprised
He little suspected what was to be en-
countered farther up the island.
His first thought was to find boat
He started along the north shore of the
sand spit looking closely for boats
either ON the beach or on the sands
The island was mile in length ane
a quarter to half mile in width.
He had reached the east point of th'
island without success and was abou
to round the point for the purpose o
examining the south shore. But h
suddenly stopped in astonishment. HI
saw a splash in the water to tie soutl
and then he heard a number of muff1et
oars. 1t was now after midnight ant
he did not understand such a proceed
ing from that quarter. The youn
fisherman Immediately secl eted himsel
among the driftwood so abundant o.
this island and awaited developments
; 1t was too early for fishermen to begil
, to stir and the boats were not comm
from the right direction anyway.
:, He did not have long to wait. Darl
, objects soon appeared moving cautious
) ly on the water in every direction fror
} the south. Small boats fairly dotte
: the river and there was a silence in tn
muff1ing of the oars and the uprigh
| figures in the craft that was ominous
Every boat contained four or NOR
, persons and as they began to land o
r the south shore Of the island Dan dis
covered that the men we've armed.
The problem was now simple to Da
d. Lapham. 1t was the advance guard {
e the soutnside fishermen. The clash wa
9 now at hand. The war had long bee
t threatened between the southslde an
northside fishermen and the southsldel
K had taken the initiatory steps.
e The men drew their boats upon th
g sand and waited, as it were, upon the
a guns. Dams eyes and ears were oper
n He was not long in learning their locs
r tions. They formed a circle obscure
e from view by the drift wood, a fe
# yards south Of Dams place of concea
ment.
It He gathered from their conversation
k carried on in low but distinct tone
e that the northsiders would arrive abol
It daylight, and that their purpose was
e capture their opponents, take the