The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1907-02-05

STRAIGHT OVER.
I 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 we'll
There was 10 use calling for help,
for there was no possibility of any one
being within FIVE miles of the place
So l didn't waste much strength in
that way.
There was only three feet of space
between the boat and the boards over
head. AT the rate the tide was rising L
should have nearly an hour before the
climax could be reached. l tried to
console myself with the thought that 1
was safe. The water would force the
boat up toward the roof. but by lying
down in it we could wait for the turn
of the tide. took measurements and
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 a log.
Jock might swim around and eventual
ly escape, but for me there was no
escape.
The thought Of such an end sent the
cold shivers down my spine. 1t was
difficult to sit there and wait for the
end. lit my pipe and tried to smoke,
but my courage OOzed out slowly, and
twice the pipe went out. Then put it
away and took another measurement.
I turned pale with apprehension. The
tide had gained 4 foot and half By
aid of the dim light / looked at my
watch. The time for high tide was
still half an hour off.
/ realized then that my fate was
sealed. The water would reach to a
level with the floor of the dock, and
would drown. I tried to picture the
scene of the final struggle. In fancy l
experienced all the sensations of death.
Jock must have been thinking of the
same thing, for he suddenly grew nerv
ous and excited. He whined and whim-
boat. I tried to grab him TO stife his
cries, but he avoided me and finally
leaped overheard.
That splash in TIE water brought
more alarm To me than anything else.
Jock was deserving me, and, like a
drowning man clinging TO his support
Of straw, | grabbed for the dog to haul
him back
/ must have leaned heavily on the
side OF the boat. for if suddenly tipped
and rolled straight over, turning turtle
SO quickly that l was in the water be
fore could. think. Fortunately had
presence OF mind enough TO grasp the
sides. / chung to this support and
g8sned for breath.
I tried in vain to turn the boat over.
II would have been a SIupendOus job
in that narrow space for an expert
swimmer: for NE it WAS absolutely inn
possible.
The top OF the boat was within few
inches of the dock overhead, and
could not climb upon sit / simply
around and around the overturned
craft. whining and begging me to leave
it. but there was no alternative and
chung desperately 10 the slippery bot
tom.
The water rose inch by inch. First
the bottom of the boat bumped against
the boards overhead; then st was held
firmly In position, and the tide climbed
higher, marking the rise on the sides.
When there was only six inches OF
eDsce in which to breathe ! began TO
lose all hope. AT five inches the lap
ping waves frequently slapped the
briny water in my mouth. ] craned
nv head backward, forcing my mouth
snd nose as near the boards of the
roof as possible. Jock was by my side
doing the same.
But he took il less silently and calm
iv. he spIuttcred and whined and
made frantic efforts to bore his nose
,I,ran2h Tic obdurate boards ] was