The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-06-28

Of black smoke rolled upward. he
was indeed in the shadow Of death"
The stones ratified sharply against the
rocks round him, and fragments Of Stag
slid past, disappearing in the abyss.
Still the projection against which his
heels rested did not give way. Half
suffocated with nauseous gases, his
limbs cramped and aching, he grimly
held on.
Meanwhile Bob Crothers tore down
the path to the hut. where he found the
guides half asleep.
When the white-faced lad came rush.
ing among them, they listened at first
sulkily enough; but as soon as they
understood the real nature of the catas'
trophe they sprang to their feet. and
snatching a coil Of rope from q hook,
hurried up the cone, headed by Bob.
"Dick, my dear old fellow" 1t was
! Bob's voice, and it came Just in time
to rouse the boy from the stupor to
which he was fast succumbing.
"Yes!" replied Dick, feebly.
"We're going to throw you rope
with q running moose at the end.
When I give the word, you stick your
arm through the moose, quick, and grab
the rope with both hands"
"I-I don't know whether I can hold
onr' trembled Dick.
Eyes, you CAM replied Bob. fercely.
you've got TO! Here comes the rope"
Two sturdy guides had stretched
themselves fat Oh the ground at the
edge of the crater; hc,f dozen OF
their comrades planted themselves
firmly, with the rope twisted round
the r bodies. a few feet farther back.
Dick felt the loose particles OF ash
sliding past his face as the rope Slid
down slowly toward him. The dust
got into his eyes, but lie could not rub
them. At last the moose glided over
his head and rested or his chest. At
the same moment he heard the pre-
monitory rumble Of the volcano fore
telling another discharge.
"Noww screamed Bob.
Dick drew a long breath and caught
the rope, thrusting an arm through the
moose. The quick movement and in
voluntary bracing Of his feet dislodgcd
the slight projection which had arrest
ed his fall, and he began to slide down
ward.
It was a moment Of terrible sus-
pense. Would the rope hold? Dick
could not help himself a particle, II
indeed he was still conscious. But his
grip was firm, and the moose, which
had slipped up to his armpit, clutched
him tightly.
Slowly the silent form was drawn up
the slope, farther and farther, until
his rescuers, cautiously reaching over
the edge, caught his wrists, and drew
the half-dead lad to safety.
It was trlmphal procession that
wound down the path to the hut, carry
ing Dick, who feebly protested that ne
could walk, but was not allowed to set
foot on the ground. The boys were
pretty silent, but the guides chatted
volubly, laughed, shouted and threw
up their hats, now and then turning
to shake their fists at the volcano. All
ill-feeling was forgotten.
"What did you think Of, old fellow,
as you were lying there waiting for
us?" asked Harry that evening, when
the three were once more on the moon
lit piazza Of the Castellammare hotel.
He threw his arm over the others
shoulder as he spoke. 1t was good to
feel that his friend was alive and
well.
"Think?" said Dick, slowly. II don't
know. I've forgotten. About mother,
I guess. and-well," he shuddered a
little, "that place, you know, about the
shadow of DEATH tell you, Fellows
Two heen in itp'-YOuth'S Companion.