La Junta tribune., 1907-05-25

DAnaaS"A WEN
! exhausted every possible study OF the
situation. l pushed around the piles
and shook the boards, hoping to find
one loose, but the contractors had per
formed their work well.
There was no use calling for help,
for there WAS no possibility of any one
being within fve miles of the place.
So didn't waste much strength In
that way.
There was only three feet Of space
between the boat and the boards over
head. At tile rate the tide WINS rising
should have neearIy an hour before the
climax could he reached. l tried TO
console myself with the thought that
was safe. The water would force the
boat up toward the roof. but by lying
down in 1t we could walt for the turn
OF the tide. took measurements AMI
found that with six inches Of space we
could escape IL we took care not to
rock the boat.
ON the other hand. if the water crept
up beyond that point the boat would
be swamped. and would have no
choice other than to sink like Il log.
Jock might swim around and eventual
ly escape. but for me there WAS no
escape.
The thought OF such mn end sent the
cold shiyers down my spine. 1t was
difficult to sit there and walt for the
eud. III my pipe and tried to smoke.
but my courage Oozed ont slowly. and
twice the pipe went ont. Then put II
away and took another measurement.
] turned pale with apprehension. The
tide had gained n foot and half. BY
aid OF the dim light | looked Mt my
watch. The time for high tide was
still half an hour on
realized then that my fate was
sealed. The wafer would reach to
level with the floor of the dock. and l
would drown. tried to picture the
scene OF the final struggle. In fancy
experienced all the sensations OF death.
Jock must hnve been thinking of the
same thing. for he suddenly grew nerv-
Gus and excited. He whined and whlm-
pered and chased mp and down the
boat. tried to grab him to stifie his
cries. but he avoided me and finally
leaped overheard.
Tint splash In the water brought
more :larm to me than anything else.
Jock was desertlng me. and. like a
drowning man clnging to his support
of straw, I grabbed for the dog to haul
him back.
| must have leaned heavily on the
side OF the boat. for 1t suddenly tipped
aud rolled straight over. turning turtle
so quickly that was In the water be.
fore could think Fortunately Ind
presence OF mind enough to grasp the
sides. chung to this support and
gasped for breath.
tried in vain to turn the boat over.
II would have been n stupendOus job
In that narrow space for an expert
swimmer; for me It was absolutely I'M
possible.
The top OF the boat was within few
inches of the dock overhead. and
could not climb upon It, simply
clung to 1t and shIvered. jock swan
around and around the overturned
craft. whining and begging me to leave
II. but there was no alternative. and
cinng desperately to the slippery bot.
tom.
The water rose inch by inch. First
the bottom OF the boat bumped against
the boards overhead; then 1t was held
firmly in position. and the tide climbed
higher. marking the rise on the sides.
When there was only six Inches OF
space In which to breathe / began to
lose all hope. At five i4ches the lap
ping waves frequently slapped the
briny water In my mouth. l craned
my head backward, forcing my mouth
and, nose MS near the boards OF the
roof as possible. Jock was by my side
doing the same.
But he took It less silently and calm.
ly lie spluttered and whiued and
made frnntic efforts to bore bis nose
through the obdurate boards. was