Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1907-01-29
CHAPTER TX.

Now that we had water iii abundance
4 became reckless, and dividing our lit
tile store of hard crusts VIC ate all az
.one meal, leaving nothing eatable in the
store hole-e Icept the end of a candle.
Then, having set more water in the filter,
we went into the small cave and contir-
ued the work we had began the night
before, charging the cutting 20 three feet
in width and six feet in height. In this
occupation we hacked on without inter
mission, turn and turn about, until mid
day, AMI then after the last bout, feel
ing sick and faint for want of proper
food, would not let Psyche take the ak
from M hand.
mo, Psyche" said l, I'VE must take
our dinner hour the same as other work
men, albeit we have nothing 20 eat"
We emptied the crock of sweet wafer,
and Psyche seemed quite contented and
happy. We sat down side by side and
/ gave my companion a lesson in speech
naming all the things around us AMI max
ing her repeat them after ne, ana then
point them out when | named hem
again; and surely no master ever had a
more quick ana pleasant pupil. In this
way we DtSuiaEu an hOul away duu lecI-
ing better for the rest, | returned to the
work, but not so hopefully as in the
early morning, for certain symptoms al
ready warned me that without food we
should be almost as badly off as without
water. and that our strength could not
hold out against starvation long enough
for us to get through even ten feet of
the cliff, and fifty feet must, as I rock
oned. be the average thickness of the
block.
lit is no good, Psyche. not a bit of
good" said I'VE haven't cut half a
foot deep in the rock. It's useless kill
ing ourselves with fatigue for nothing nj
all. 1t must seem a cruel sport to YOU.
poor child, who have no idea what all this
hard work is for. Why, you poor little
soul. your hands are full of blisters. You
may well vince when | touch them /.
and now you are smiling and cooling as
if it were pleasure TO suffer by me.
| can understand it, though. | know
how should feel toward any living thing
in human form that came to me in a soli-
tude such as this. I'm the only compan-
ion you have ever known in this second
life of yours, that's why YOU cling 10
me, isn't itF'
| hardly knew how | got through the
rest of the day. Psyche slept calmly.
and while there was yet a fain. light in
the small cave l myself fell asleep, sick
with hunger and with despair.
NY first thought when | awoke on the
third day was of Psyche. Was she still
alive? | asked myself. Creeping to
where she lay ! bent over her, holding
my breath in dreadful suspense. praying
with my very soul that might hear her
respiration. She lifted her arms and
clasped her hands about my neck. With
cry of gratitude and joy | raised her
10 her feet.
The mad hope of escape seized me once
more, and rushing into the little cave [
seized the ak and attacked the cliff.
Psyche stood by. waiting to take her turn,
but | kept on till my strength was ut
terly exhausted. BY that tine the reac-
ton had come. and once again finging
the ak from me l swore that | would
play this FOOLS game no more; and that.
come what might. neither Psyche nor |
should cut another stroke in this mad.
dening endeavor,
At that very moment Psyche seized
nv arm, and after standing silent a mo-
nent burst into joyous laughter and flew
from my side. | followed aer SIS Quickly
as | could, wondering what fantasy pos
sessed her, until coming ints the large
cave her action was explained From
the direction of the well came that sis.
nal which my grandfather haS sold me to
make. Someone was whistltns as if TO
a dog. When I reached the edge of TIE
shaft Psyche was singing Asr Aeolean
song. and the light from aoove fell on RI
pale. upturned race. looked up ard
deserted head bending ovry
Hold on that catawarliag.' shouesd
the voice from above. which l recognized
at once as old Peters.
/ touched PSs1h~'s arm aet she ceased
to sing.
Barnard, you cussed Barnard" ros-
ed Peter.
We'll" I answered.
You blarsed warment, you're begun
10 kick up that hammerir' row dowr
there. are yous"
What's that to your" / replied.
why. it's nothin' to me come TO that
But Bees here-your grandfather-anC
As can't 30 to sleep, according to th'