Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-09-15

HROibEpTES

N&/A0NIO
stantly in his grasp. And once more in TINS s'sht
disturbance of his equilibrium, his head went un
der.
Barnes was disappointed, but he was now abso
luely master of himself. In a moment he had re-
gained the only position in which he could breathe
comfortably. Then, because the sun was beating
down too fercely on the top Of his head he care
fully drew the bushy top of the poplar sapng into
roots were still aground it showed no tendency
to float off and forsake him in his plight
A very little consideration, accompanied by
cautious investigation with his free foot, speedily
convinced him, being practical woodsman, that
tho trap in which he found himself caught could
be nothing else than a couple Of interlaced, twisted
branches or roots, of some Tree which had fallen
into the pool in some former cavng-in of the bank
In that dark deep wherein his foot was held fast,
his minds eye could it all well enough-the
watersoaked, brown-green, Shiny inexorable COLL
which had yielded to admit the unlucky member,
ter trap He could feel that grip-not severe. but
uncompromisngly firm, clutching the Joint AS he
considered he began to draw comfort, however.
from the fact that his invisible captor had display
ed a certain amount of give-andtake. This elastic
ity meant either that it a couple Of branches
slight enough to be flexible that held him, or that
the submerged tree itself was small one. not too
seadfastly anchored down. He would free HIM
self easily enough. he thought, as soon as no
should set himself about it coolly and systcmati
cally.
Taking long breath he sank his head under
the surface and peered downward through the am
berbrown but transparent gloom. Little CLEANS Of
the swirls of the outer current. Barnes could not
discern the bottom of the pool, which was evident
ly very deep; but he could quite clearly the
portion of the sunken tree in whose interviewer
branches he was held. shimmerng golden ray
fell just on the spot where his foot vanished to the
ankle between two stout curves of what looked
like Shiny brown cables sections OF tense snake
body.
1t was, beyond question. a nasty-looking trap;
and Barnes could not blink the fact that he was in
tight place. He lifted his face above the
face steadied himself carefully. and breathed deep
ly and quietly for couple Of minutes. gathering
strength for swift and vigorous effort Then.
filing his lungs very moderately, the better to
dure a strain, he stopped suddenly downward
deep into the amber gloom, and began wrenching
with all his force at those oozy curves striving to
drag them apart. They gave little but not enough
to release the imprisoned foot. Another moment
and he had to lift his head again for breath.
After some minutes of rest, he repeated tho
choking struggle, but, before, in vain He could
move the jaws of the trap just enough to encour
age him little. but not enough to gain his re-
lease Again and again he tried i-again and again
to fail just he imagined himself on the verge of
success; till at last he was forced for the nomert
to acknowledge defeat finding himself SO exhaust.
ed that he could hardly keep his mouth above
water Drawing down stTlsh upright branch of
the sapling' he gripped it between his teeth and
so held himself upright while he rested his arms.
This was relief to nerves as well as muscles be-
cause 1t made his balance. on which he depended
TOT the chance to breathe. so much the less pro
carious.
AS ne hung there pondering. held but bare Ia
'">as9Fs~na,s.-.s.eese).