La Junta tribune., 1908-02-01
s.w;ssn they reached the. other shor. IL

4
.W'.en they reacbe1 the. other shore n,
safety and with only tile loss OF a few
OF their provisions pr. Graylie's face
lost its expression OF anxiety.
Thank Cod" he cried fervently as
Harry and Jack sp,ing from the raft.
followed by the Others. This is con
sidered the most dangerous ford in all
the country round. and yet il is the one
most used. II only II good strong boat
could be kept here, with n safe man
who understood the river and It's dan
gers. II would mean vast amount of
good for the community and perhaps
the saving OF many lives each season.
It's another bit of Gods work that is
waiting for the right man.
Kach-cha was standing to his waist
In the water. holding the raft Rut for
all the expression on his face he had
no more apprehended the danger than
he now did their safety and II he had
heard DIR. Graylic'S remark his coun-
'enance did not show IT, When the
goods We're all on shore and they were
preparing to resume the march he
came forward and held out his hand.
''rhe journeys end Is but little
way over the hill." he said. "and there
Is no more use for me. viii now bid
the sahib soodby IN his own way. l
will he glad to touch the sahib's hand
IN friendship"
But are You not going on with usg"
asked Dr. Graylie in surprise.
There is no need. sahib. Ny journey
ends here"
We'll. perhaps you can do better for
yourself by going back, Kach-cha. but
have hoped you would see your way
TO staying with us awhile" lie took
out his purse. but Kach-cha raised his
hands In quick denial
mot that. sahib. Give me the tools
we used IN making the raft. the AK
and the saws and hammers and bits
and some nails and n little rice That
will be enough"
So Or. Graylie went back with him
and selected tue tools. adding to them
others which he thought might be use
full and to the rice ne added various
stores and some tin dishes.
"Remember to come and see us II
you are ever In this section again,
Kach- cha" he said as they parted.
''Yes. sahib."
II was ten days later when the two
boys on one OF their tramps again ap-
preached the ford. As they drew near
they were surprised to see II small ma
tive hut built upon the bank above the
river and to hear the rasping z-z-Z-r.
z-z-Z-r of saw being vigorously work
ed The door of the hut was inviting
~ open. and the boys went forward
and looked In. And there. upon his
knees beside curved stick OF timber
which they recognized as the keel OF
boat. was Ilach-cha, drawing back and
forth the bowstring which was sending
the twirIlng bit into the depths of the
hard wood.
When they returned. the boys told
their father OF the discovery. but he
was very busy. and II was another
month before he was ready to go down
himself and zee what Kach-cha was
doing. BY that time the boat was COM
pleted, strong. well built craft which
made DIR. Graylle's eyes glisten as he
looked at 1t.
"why. Kach-cha. 1t Is . beauty" he
cried. Il did not know you were .
boat builder"
II am anything. sahib."
"Ah. aud what are you going to do
with such a boat In place like this?"
Kach- cha turned and regarded him
steadily. and now. for the first time In
his experience with the man. DIR. Gray
lie saw the face without It's mask and
something he read there. something
which came up from the soul Of the
man through the deep set eyes. made
his face warm suddenly.
You don't mean, KaclI-cha." he be-
gan.
Yes. sahib. shall he ferr, man
here. have some money and will buy