Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-09-14

would they punish nerg Would they
treat the boy harshlyy he was com.
forted with the thought that there
would be nothing gained by this-it
would not bring the prisoner back
but he muttcred a prayer for the girl
who had placed herself behind those
prison bars, who had incurred the
rage of his jailerS to save him.
He heard NO more of the dogs and
doated on, swimming and resting al
ternately. The high bluffs OF Mecca.
sin point were before him on his right.
An owl on their summit. watching the
rising moon, occasionally gave dis
nal boot, the intervals being supplied
by the melancholy whippoorwil. The
current bore him on around the point,
carrying him in near the shore where
he had passed the picket with the
sleeping lakey in mis- arms few
nights before. So close was he that
he could see Il man walking back and
forth on the very beat OF the one he
had passed. AS he driftcd away he
saw the relief approach and the picket
changed
He was borne directly under Look
out mountain, aud on down for n mile
to a point where the river makes an
other bend. Here the bank was low,
and as Mark was getting chilled he
swan to the southern bank for rest,
He laid himself down for n few mo
meats on the dry ground, aud then
getting up walked back and forth rap.
idly. swinging his arms ut the same
time to restore circulation and III him
to endure n longer stay in the water.
He looked about for some piece OF
wood on which he might tloat farther,
There were logs OF various sizes scat
tered around. but most OF them were
rotten. He was SO much at home in
the water that he was not disappoint-
ed ON failing to find ono suitable to
his purpose.
Plunging in again he moved on down
past the bluffs at the foot OF the Rae
coon mountains, swimming on his
chest most OF the time and keeping a
lookout before him. He had not pass
ed any boats, ut least none near him.
and did not fear this danger, but he
wanted to keep his surroundings well
in view In order To know his location.
The moon was now well up. and he
could see quite distinctly Below and
TO his right boat was putting out
from the east shore II was larger
than an ordinary skill, but as 1t was
In shadow he could not tell what
kind of craft II was, AS II came
over the river ut right angles with the
shore. and Mark was drifting toward
1t. he soon found that he was In dan
ger OF meeting II In the middle OF
the stream. The current was quite
rapid, and before he was aware of II
he was close TO the boat, 1t was evil
IDENTIFY ferryboat, and Mark, who
knew the location OF Browns ferry
from the maps, judged that It was the
boat belonging there.
But Mark was concerned with other
considerations besides his location just
then. He was too late to get out OF
the way unobserved by swimming
aside, He made up his mind In n
twinkling what TO do. Drawing sew
tlul lOHS ne uittu lungs
with air and then putting his head
down and his feet up he threw him
self under water. He had often been
beneath the surface for "A considerable
time. but never as long as now. He
remained under as long as he thought
he possibly could. and then staid awhile
longer When he came to light again
the boat was hundred yards above
him and to the west OF him.
Another mile brought him TO an Is
land. He remembered II on his map
as Williams island, and knew that II
was about two miles long He recalled
the fact that the only creek lowing
into the river In this vicinity entered
1t midway between the north and south
end of this island, and on his right. IL
he remembered Alright He had about
mile to 90 to reach the mouth OF
this creek.
Striking out. he directed his course
to the eastward OF the island and swan
very near to the east bank OF the
river Along this he hoated with
scarcely stroke, except to keep In
close TO the shore. watching engerly
for the mouth of the creek. Fortunate
ly when he reached II he discovered 1t,
and where he had supposed he would
find It. With few Iusty strokes he
was In II and soon at place where
he could rest In the water with his
feet on terra tirma,
But the knowledge that the dogs
would soon be upon him prevented u
rest of long duration. Perhaps party
would cross the neck OF Moccasin point,
thus cutting off a greater part Of the
long distance over which he had float
ed The thought added new terror,
and be began to wade and TO swim
alternately, as was necessary up the
creek. Presently he came TO the cross
ing OF road He drew himself up on
to 1t aud looked around AS a scout
he had long been accustomed to keep
his mind fixed on points along the