The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1908-05-14

blowing down the ice laden river, cut
like knife. Philip Ross, captain OF
the barge Bessie, standing in the
bow of his clumsy craft directing a
gang Of men unloading the stones
which comprised the cargo. shivered
as the strong blasts rushed by, and
drawing bis heavy overcoat closer
about him. took refuge behind the
supporting mast of the derrick where
bis body was not so much exposed.
Quitting time arrived before all the
stone had been raised and landed, and
Captain Ross blew his whistle as a
signal that work was over for the
day The teamster unlocked the
horses from the derrick tackle; the
laborers gathered up coats and din
ner pals, and in an incredibly short
time they were lost to sight down one
of the city's streets. The two mem
bers of the crew and the cook had
been granted permission to spend
the evening on shore and left at the
same time.
When all had gone, Philip walked
to the stern of the barge and stood
looking out over the water. The tide
was ebbing, and the blocks of ice in
the stream were being borne along
toward the bay in heaving masses.
The river, with It's shipping, its mis-
cellaneous cargoes and the sugges-
tions of new and strange places the
slight OF incoming and outgoing yes
Bels were always bringing before his
mind, was dear to the young man,
and he longed for the day when the
firm by whom he was employed would
send him to sea on one of their ocean
going steamers.
One large cake of ice directly op-
posite him attracted his attention.
He followed it with his eyes as 1t
went tumbling along on its way to
The sea, and wondered how long a
time would elapse before the action
Of the salt water would melt it.
All at once the entire flow seemed
to pause in its onward progress. At
the same time the deck on which he
stood began to rock like a vessel In
motion. The sensation awoke him
from his reverie, and glancing hur-
riedly over his shoulder, Philip saw
that the bow of the barge was swing
ing about, for the bowline, a thick,
heavy hawser which held the for
ward part of the craft to the dock,
had parted, leaving only the lighter
line at the stern to keep the barge
from drifting away from her moor
angs entirely.
Instantly Ross saw that another
line would have to be run ashore to
take the place of the broken hawser,
and at once, or the barge would be
adrift. The distance between the
barge and the dock was too great to
leap, so throwing the loop in the end
of line over bitt head he dropped
the coil of rope into the bottom of
the dory fastened to the river side
OF the larger craft. Cutting the boat
loose he picked up the oars and be-
gan to pull rapidly, following out
plan he had formulated almost as
soon as he perceived that the bow
line had parted. This was to pass
around thee bow of the barge, reach
the dock, fasten the other end of the
rope to the snubbing post, and thus
hold the unwieldly hulk until he
could get a tug to. tow the barge
back to her position.
There were at his disposal only !
Few seconds for the accomplishment
OF his object, and Philip bent to his
task and sent the dory out in the
river with strong, swift strokes. Then
turning the boats head up stream
and shoreward, he put forth all his
strength and skill in his efforts to
make The dock before the barge had
foated the ropes length down the
stream.
But, riverman though he was.
Philip had failed to consider the diff
nculties OF his task. No sooner was
the dory well out from under the lee
OF the barge than the floating Ice
struck 1t, effectually stopping its pro-
gress. One huge cake caught the
small boat in It's embrace, and while
fhiiip was working around the block
.ne tlue was carrying the ice and
Doat down the stream.
BY the time he had succeeded in
getting clear OF the cake he was so
lar below the barge that 1t was USE
less to try and gain the dock in time
10 snub her, and Philip realized that
MS enorts were to end In failure.
Ihe unwieldly craft had swung
around and foated down stream as
Iar as the stern line would allow.
rms hawser held her, much to Phil
Fps surprise, but he felt certain the
iope would not stand the strain long.
Ihe captain swept the river with
MS eyes in search OF a tug to tow
the barge back, but while there was
many vessels in sight, they were all
700 Iar away for him to signal. Then.
700 iate, he thought of his plight and
.nat ne was being borne down the riy-
or toward the bay with a tide against
wnicn it was not easy to pull. How
ever, ne had no reason to doubt his
apiiity to regain the bank, and bend
ing 70 the oars again, pulled his best
SLOWLY the boat began forging
aneaa against the tide, and pointing
.ne DOW toward the spot where he
wished to land. Philip settled him
SUI on his seat for some hard work
tne warm sun earlier in the dav
10 Tau ioosened great quantities of ice
~ tne upper branches of the river
anu II was being carried down the
stream In mighty fioes, some of which
extended all the way across and were
particularly thick between the boaf
anu the bank. Philip had not pulled
ewpr minutes before he found himself
surrounded by masaaa ~ aoo.s..- 49,. j..