The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-09


quick, strong strokes. Gradually II
seemed 10 him that he was lighting q
losing game. The, swimming mark was
hidden behind a curve Ia the river
wnile bismarck had pulled quickly
sway from hlin aud was now only a
short distance from the shore.
Finally, after what seemed hours OF
swimming, ho found himself Il rod
from tho shore, where Bismarck barked
at him excitedly. But, 10 bis chagrin,
though he dropped his feet several
times, be could not touch bottom even
az three feet from the bank. And the
bank! Up and down the river. 40 far
an he could sse, II rose sheer and blank
IN a tiny canyon, with not blade Of
grnss nor q crcyice for hand or foot
hold How bismarck had mado the leap
he could not fathom.
Ito turned on his back. hoping that
tho current would hold bin against tho
wall while be felt for hand hold. But
hts fingers only slipped over tho rough
sandstone. while the river carried him
rapidly downstream, aud Bismarck fol-
lowed. barking aud whining. The weight
OF his clothes and the cold were by this
time rendering him almost helpless.
Ludlow turned on his face and again
lot his fcct drop. TO his Joy, they found
u resting place, aud he stood with his
shoulders out or water. He rested.
panting aud fighting on the numbing
cold. then again passed his hands up
and down tho face of the rock for a
grip. The surface was hopclessly
smooth The top Of the bank was too
fur above tho highest reach of his
hands, even with jumping, to grasp.
He tried cautiously 10 walk along tho
bank. but found that bis foothold was
@ mere outcrop OF rock not more than
q foot In diameter
He dropped his bruised. bleeding
hands In. n.despair. Bismarck pushed his
great head over the edge and whined
pItconsly. with an eager light In his
brown eyes that seemed to say: Cant
you understand Can't your"
Ludlow gave great spring and
caught the dogs collar with bis right
hand. Instantly Bismarck braced his
mighty shoulders and pulled back.
Inch by inch the man was pulled from
tho water until be grnspcd tho top Of
the bank Az he let the dogs collar 90
Bismarck, frantic with excitement,
caught the shoulder Of Ludlow's coat
In his teeth and. with little growls and
whImpcrings as Ludlow scrambled and
pushed. pulled him fairly on 10 the
bank.
There Ludlow lay painting. too weak
TO pat the dog. who licked his hands
aud face. Wild with Joy,
Late that evening the group around
the fireplace In the living room Of the
De In Rio ranch heard weak rap.
ping at the door. followed by the quick.
deep bark OF dog. As Jack opened
tho door Ludlow staggered In. white
faced. hatlsss, bis frozen garments
cracking as he moved.
The sudden warmth and light daEed
him. and he leaned weakly against tho
wall, the great dog crouching beside
him. The group around the fireplace
was speechless with amazemcnt at the
familiar Hgure Of Ludlow inhis strange
plight.
Then Gretchen, who had gone white
an her dainty gown, uttered little
plying cry and. giving no heed to spec
tators. ran across the room.
"FrItx Ludlow she cried. Fritz,
what is itf What IL the matterY' She
threw her arms protectingly around bis
shlverlng body.
A smile OF great sweetness and con-
tent came TO Ludlovs drawn face
"Nothing is the matter now," he said,
and Bismarck paved his knee, with a
jealous whine
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