Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-02
byCHARLES
ROBERTS,

N\/O0NlO
stantly in his grasp. And once more in this slight
disturbance Of his equilibrium, his head went I'm.
der.
Barnes was disappointed, but he was now abso
,ute1v 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
such position that it gave him shade. AS its
roots were still aground, 1t 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
the trap in which he found himself caught could
he nothing else than couple of interaced, twisted
branches, or roots, Of some tree which had fallen
into the pool in former cavingin of the bank.
In that dark deep wherein his foot was held FAST
his minds eye could see it all well enough-the
water-soaked broWngreen, SHINY 1neAoraole ooA''
which had yielded to admit the unucky member
then closed upon the ankle like the jaws of an OF
ter trap He could feel that grip-not severe, but
uncompromisingly firm clutching the joint. AS he
considered, he began to draw comfort, however,
ed certain amount Of give-and-take. This elastic
ity meant either that it couple of branches
the submerged tree itself was small one not too.
steadfastly anchored down. He would free him
self easily enough, he thought, as soon as ne
should set himself about it coolly and systemati,
cally
Taking long breath he sank his head under
the surface and peered downward through the am
berbrown but transparent gloom. Little CLEANS OF
brighter light came twisting and quivering in from
the swirls of the outer current. Barnes could not
discern the bottom of the pool, which evident
ly very deep; but he could quite clearly the
portion of the sunken tree in whose interviewer
branches he was held. shimmering 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 or sections of tense snake
body.
1t was beyond question, nasty-looking trap;
and Barnes could not blink the fact that he'was in
a tight place. He lifted his face above the sur
of,,111y cd dooy.
ly and quietly for couple of minutes, gathering
strength for swift and vigorous effort Then.
dure 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 the
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 it-again and again
to fail just as he imagined himself on the verge of
success; till at last he was forced for the moment
to acknowledge defeat, finding himself exhaust
ed that he could hardly keep his mouth above
water Drawing down stiffish upright branch Of
the sapling he gripped it between his teeth and
so held himself upright while he rested his arms.
This relief to nerves as well as muscles, be.
cause it made his balance, which he depended
carious.
As he hung there bordering, held but bare half
'..>a]2rs.s'4sorO