The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-03-30


seemed to pour by the bucketful The
clouds, which had been low and dense
all the forenoon, now sank lower, and
as 1 went onward it seemed that I
would soon get to place where Z
could touch them with my hand.
'AThe streams l crossed seemed to
rise even as looked upon them, and
before l was half way home, some of
the smaller bridges were swept away,
and formed some difficulty in getting
across the raging torrents l knew
that the branch stream which crossed
the road about half mile from my
house must be rising fast, and |
was fearful that the bridge across it
would be swept away before could
get safely to the other side. If It
was, knew that it would be imposs
sible for me to reach, home, for ford
ing would be out of the question.
81 made the best time I could, and
just before nightfall came in sight
of the branch. 1t was bankful and
running like mill race. Great trees
and other driftwood were borne along
on it's surface as swiftly and easily
as though they had been straws.
"The bridge was still there, but it
was trembling and insecure. and
each moment the angry water threat
ened to take it along. For minute
| hesitated about crossing, for 1t
seemed that was tempting fate to
do so. But | thought of my wife and
children and of the prospect that the
stream might rise enough to sweep
my cabin away, and this decided me.
Giving leap, sprang upon the
bridge and landed toward the other
side
Il had not reached the center pc
fore 1 felt it moving beneath my
feet. Another instant and it started
from its foundation, and was being
swept along with terrible swiftness
down the stream.
"A human being could not stand
the current for a moment, and there
fore it was no use for me to leap
into it and endeavor to reach the
shore. I must go with the raft ana
share it's fate. whatever it might be.
But it was not long that | was
left to cling to it. 1t struck upon
some rocks in the bed of the stream
and went to pieces.
ga part of the wreck hung to the
rocks, and to this | chung. 1t saved
me from death for that time, but 1t
was only postponing the fatal mo-
ment. The fast-rising water would
soon dislodge my frail support.
II was not more than a dozen feet
from the bank, to reacn which would
have given all I possessed. But no
man could Withstand the rushing tor
rent that was passing through. On
the bank one of the planks OF the
bridge had caught, and gazed Wis.,
fully upon it. 1t was long enough to
bridge the space between me and the
shore. II man was there he could
thrust it out to me, and | would be
saved.
Although I felt sure that I should
be swept away by the angry nooo
before any one could succor me,
shouted for help at the top of my
voice. l hardly expected to be heard
in the bowling of the storm, but my
voice did reach the ears of friend.
I'm less than three minutes from
the time first cried out, my dog Nero
stood upon the bank, looking out at
me.
The motion of my frail support
warned me that it was going. was
it possible for me to make Nero un-
derstand what wanted? He was
strong enough to seize the end OF the
plank, which was the farthest up the
stream, and bring it out to me.
hardly thought could, but there was
nothing like trying. Drowning men,
you know, catch at straws.
"The dog stood uttering low wines
as though he comprehended my situa-
ton. Taking my knife from my poe
ket I threw it so that it hit the end
of the plank. With bound Nero
sprang to the spot, and taking the
end of the timber in his mouth,
swan boldly out to me.
''It was hardly a moment before
the swift current Brought the dog
and plank within my reach. caught
the end of the plank, and by great
effort raised it upon the timber on
which stood. The other end rested
upon the bank There was not an
instant to spare. .Spri2ging upon it, |
landed over the narrow bridge, with
Nero at my heels.
II was not moment too soon. My
feet had hardly touched the land be-
fore the flood carried everything
away. Nero had saved my life by a
hairs breadth.
81 reached my home in safety. My
wife had not heard me call, but the
dog had demanded to be let out into
the storm, and she had opened the
door for him. Had his quick ear not
caught his masters voice then, he
would never have heard 1t again