The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-05-31
while Bismarck had pulled quickly
away from him and was now only
short distance from the shore.

while Bismarck had pulled quickly
away from him and was now only a
short distance from the shore,
Finally, after what seemed hours of
swimming, La found himself rod
from the s!lora, where Bismarck barked
at him excitedly. But, to his chagrin,
though he dropped his feet several
times, he could not touch bottom even
at three feet from the bank. And the
bank! Up and down the river as far
as he could see, it rose sheer and blank
us tiny canyon, with not blade of
grass nor a crevice for hand or foot
hold. How Bismarck had made the leap
he could not fathom.
He turned on his back, hoping that
the current would hold him against the
wall while he felt for q hand hold. But
his fingers only slipped over the rough
sandstone. while the river carried him
rapidly Gownstrca,l. and Bismarck fol
lowed, barkin. ad whining. Theweight
of his clothes and the cold were by this
time rendering him almost helpless.
Ludlow turned on his face and again
let his feet drop. TO his joy, they found
resting place. and he stood with his
shoulders out of water. lie rested,
painting and fighting off the numbing
cold, then again passed his hands up
and down the face of the rock for Il
grip. The surface was hopelessly
smooth. The top of the bank was too
far above the highest reach of his
hands, even with jumping, to- grasp.
He tried cautiously to walk along the
bank, but found that his foothold was
a mere outcrop of rock not more than
a foot in diameter
He dropped his bruised, bleeding
hands in despair. Bismarck pushed his
great head over the edge and whined
piteously, With an eager light in his
brown eyes that seemed TO say: Cant
you understand? Can't you:'
Ludlow gave great spring and
caught the dogs collar with his right
hand. Instantly Bismarck braced his
mighty shoulders and pulled back.
Inch by inch the man was pulled from
the water until he grasped the top of
| the bank. AS he let the dogs collar go
Bismarck, frantic with excitement,
caught the shoulder of Ludlow's coat
| in his teeth and, with little growls and
| whimperings as Ludlow scrambled and
pushed, pulled him fairly on to the
bank.
There Ludlow lay painting. too weak
to pat the dog, who licked his hands
and face, Wild With joy.
| Late that evening the group around
the fireplace in the living room of the
De la Rio ranch heard weak rap,
ping at the door, followed by the quick,
deep bark of a dog. AS Jack opened
the door Ludlow staggered in, white
faced, hatless, his frozen garments
cracking as lie moved.
The sudden warmth and light dazed
him, and he leaned weakly against the
wall, the great dog crouching beside
him. The group around the fireplace
was speeches. with Amusement at the
familiar figure of Ludlow i'll his strange
plight.
Then Gretchen, who had gone white
as her dainty gown, uttered Il little
plying Cry and, giving no heed to spec
tators, ran across the room.
"Fritz Ludlow" she cried. Fritz
what is it? What is the matter?" She
threw her arms protectingly around his
shivering body
A smile of great sweetness and con
tent came to Ludlow's drawn face
Nothing is the matter now" he said
and Bismarck paved his knee, with :
jealous whine.