Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1908-07-22


some despair. others hope. until az
last the wagon OF Mr.. James
Grnbbs i seen slowly approaching
with the boat, the horses sinking
knee deep in the soft earth AT
every step. while there is a gene
raj shout TO drive up" put
whip. come on. &c. But
GrnbbS knows his business and
don Z intent to stalled. On he
comes slowly To the nearest practi-
cable point. where the boat is
launched. And now comes a ques-
ton not before considered. who is
to man itl Who is there with skill
AMI experience enough 90 manage
a boat ~ such current. Who is
there with nerve to brave the
dangerl Every eye is turned to
Young Wood who understands the
meaning and steps into tue boat
with the remark. 1T will require
two 10 manage her" At this
moment hOrseman comes splash
inc through the mud: dismounting.
his quick eye comprehends all at a
glance, instantly he divests himself
of liIs outer clothing and stands by
the side of Wood in tac boat. This
nov arrival proves 20 hc Mr. III.
barNh, whn. bearing Of the Cap
tain : critical situation had come
with all pnsSible speed to his assist
ance. As he stepped into the boat
a friend approached him and re-
monstrated, saying the boat must
be- dashed 20 pieces and lac had Il
wife and children 10 take care of.
but this was not t!.c time 60 reason
about danger with the gallant
Burch, and after "A rough rebuke
he dismissed him with the remark
that God will care for the widow
and orphan Our two friends
now seated side by side paddle
steadily along under the shore.
passing the mill; the Captain looks
calmly out upon them: ou they 90
for 4 quarter OF Il mile above the
mill; nuw each man adjusts him
self upon his seat; neither speaks:
each has discovered that the other
knows his business: they exchange
glanccS and The boat heads for the
current; simultaneously they bend
forward. their oars strike the
water and the little boat bounds
forward like . thing OF life. Down
they come gradually obhquing to
a line with the front of the mill:
they pass the old sycamore and
every muscle l. now strained to
hold back ihe boat n she moves
along the mill wall. the Captain
stands ready and with sure and
steady grasp hc seizcs her side
aud holds her fast; the hoys plunge
from their retreat to the window.
bat alas "A ponderous log comes
raking It's isggy sides against the
nill. Let So Captain or ali is
lost, calmly remarked Burch. the
Captain instantly obeying the
order. without knowing the cause.
when quick rs thought they were
bounding down the foaming cur
rent. Every heart now sinks, and
a waihng shrek of despair rings
out from the females. On they 90
and the window must be submerg-
ed before they can make another
round trip; but those are steady
nerves and she is heading for
shore again; she reaches the bank
and with all possible speed they
pass by the Captain at his window,
now rapidly closing in, and he
looks ON as calmly rs before: from
the same point they again start
out with the same success, they
again reach the mill. with the
same steady grasp the Captain
holds the boat fast, the boys bound
through the window and seat them
selves, Burch grasps the window
frame and bracing every muscle
holds the boat steady while the
Captain, with a quick motion and
the assistance of Wood, is safely
aboard. Down the current again
rides the little skiff. this time
heavily loaded and more difficult
to manage; foaming surging
whirlpool formed by some under
current, in the center OF which a
rick OF straw is whrling just ahead
the current drawing them grad
ually toward 1t, our two boatsmen
now bend forward aud put forth
their whole strength; Woods oar
snaps i'm his hands. quick aS light
ming il is snatchcd up again.
another stroke and they pass the
boiling funnel; now they are head
ing for shore. Skillfully avoiding
the heavy drift wood that is plung-
ing through the water, they safely
land under the triumphant shout
of the spectators, and now graft
tude does more than all the horrio
threatening of death for the Cap
tain, in the embrace of Il fond wife
and surrounded by friends he
weeps like child. But thanks tC
a merciful Providence, and brave
hearts, was safe.
-------------- -----------------
Deafness Cannot be Cured
/ NV Iocal annlications as they cannot reacl