The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1905-04-13

saw another. Archibald was riding
into Granklin to record a new lease.
Lacy's creditors were behind him.
I'D rather have you than Howe
pilot for me. Lucky for you you fish
ed on the Allegheny when you were
boy. You know 1t pretty we'll"
"I'll do it," said Lacy; suddenly COM
ing out Of his day dream.
An hour later he was giving instruc-
tons to the man who assisted him.
He was to get another man whom
Lacy named to take Lacy's place. That
evening Lacy drove down to the
creek where Hartly's boats were moor
ed. The small rivulets and brooks
had become reservoirs where they
neared the creek. By morning, at the
farthest, rain or dry, the pond fresh
would carry the barges out.
Lacy worked harder for Hartly than
he had ever worked for himself. It
was his last hope, his last chance. He
inspired the other men. Hartly slap
ped his thigh with pride as the work
progressed.
About 4 o'clock the next morning
rain fell again, slowly at first but
then came downpour. The last show
er accomplished more in two hours
than Hartly and the other operators
had accomplished in two weeks. Be
fore the workers on the creek had their
breakfast the signal to cut loose was
given.
One Of Hartly's boats rode out nice
ly, safely. A second fioated Off with.
out obstacle. Now came the last
that Lacy had charge Of. 1t was the
most difficult TO manage Unless skill
was displayed now one of Potts
barges lying above might stove it in.
Suddenly he beheld two Of the boats
swinging into the creek beyond the
control of the boatmen. Potts, purple
with excitement, leaped on one. His
chief assistant. Baird, strove with
might and main to retard the other.
There was crash of timber. a tre-
mendous rush Of water, the swirlfng
of an indescribable mass Of leaves.
branches and pieces of board in ed
dies. Above all the shouts and COM
mands of men could be heard as they
struggled with an ungovernable ele-
ment.
The yellow, oily water was coming
down In a comb over a log that had
swung across the creek suddenly. It
was held fast there. Below this log
was a long slide Of clear, smooth wa
ter.
Lacy saw at once that unless this
log was removed Immediately two of
Har.ly's boats would be forced against
the opposite side Of the creek, in
which case Potts boat would be sure
to collide with them. They would be
smashed. crumpled up, their contents
lost.
He seized d cant hook. caught the
end of the log, the swift water whirled
the hog around, throwing Lacy off his
feet. He fell into the creek, grasped
despairingly at the log, then disap-
peared.
Now the fresh pond was at its mer.
riest. 1t scoOped stones from the bot
tom of the creek, rushed headlong,
tossing its yellow name as it bore the
barges down swiftly to Oil City and
out far into the Allegheny.
When Lacy regaincd consciousness
he fancied he was still at the waters
edge. He heard the steady flow Of |
water There could be no mistaking
that sound. He thought he was still
at the waters edge. 4
How do yOu feel nowH
1t was Watson. his assistant, who
stood near. /
did you get out ali rght?"
"Slick as grease"
"Where am I!'
where you ought to be. In your
own bunk. Where'd you think you |
was2' 4
II hear water. 1t Is water I hear.
How did l get-what does it mean"
Lacy sat up and stared around him.
He felt his head. 1t was bandaged.
"It means you was nigh gone when
we got you out cf the creek. I'd gone i
down to tell you the news"
Lacy was listening now intently.
"Well, if that isn't water" He rub
bed his bandaged hand. II feel kind
of fiighty. There, I hear it plain"
He tried to get up. Watson pushed
him back gently.
Zone leg spraineG. Best not. We
brought you up SOS could tend to you
better. That's oil you hear-oil from
your well. Struck it about sundown
last night. The gravel flew twice as
high as the derrick. The tank build
ing will be there in ten minutes. Never
was so tuckered out in my life as we
was making bank to save the oil
last night Gee-whiz! More'n a hum
dred barrels. and oil selling at So and
50 at the well"
Lacy wondered If 1t was "a dream.
Just then Watson backed out of the
shanty awkwardly. He returned sud-
denly. kicked some things under his
bunk. Strengthened up the clothes over
Lacy and said in tone Of assumed in
Here's some folks that's come up to
see the Oil regions. Come up yester-
day, they said. Been trying to find
you"
Then Watson backed out and the
face he always saw in his dreams stood
before him. Behind her stood her
mother. AS she stopped and kissed
him Lacy drew long breath.
1T doesn't seem real" said Lacy, as
be looked up at her.
But there could be no doubt about
the pressure of that soft, warm palm
On his sbrow.-Indianapolis Sun.