Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-06-20

uuOSTIOOl, anu tQer0 was less QepLn OF
water even than he had anticipated.
He was wet only to the thighs when
he toiled up on to the low spit of sand,
and put the girl down a moment to
catch a fresh breath and examine the
broader stretch of water ahead. They
could see both shores now, that which
they had just left, a black, Jumping,
dim outline. Except for the tapping
of the water at their feet, all was
deathly still. Even the Indian fire had
died out. and 1T was hard to conceive
thai savages were hidden behind that
black veil. and that they two were
actually fleeing for their lives. To the
girl 1t was like some dreadful delirium
Of sleep. but the man felt the full
struggle. There vas q star well down
in the south he chose to guide by, but
beyond that he must trust to good for
tune. Without a word he lifted her
again to his shoulder, and pushed on.
The water ran deeper. shelving off
rapidly, until 1t rose well above his
waist. and with sufficient current so
that he was compelled to lean against
1t to maintain balance. scarcely ven
turing forward a foot at a time. Once
he stumbled over some obstruction,
barely averting a fall; he felt the
swift clutch Of her fingers at his
throat, the quick adjustment of her
body, but her lips gave no u~tterance
Of alarm. His cropping feet touched
the edge OF a hole, and he turned, fac
ing the current, tracing his way care
fully until he found a passage on solid
bottom. A bit of driftwood swirled
down out of the night; a water-soaked
limb. striking against him before it
was even seen, bruised one arm, and
then lodged past like a wild thing.
leaving a glitter OF foam behind. The
sand-dunes grew darker, more dis
tinct, the water began to grow shall
low, the bottom changing from mud to
sand. He slipped and staggered in
the uncertain footing, his breath com
ing In quicker gasps, yet with no cess
alton of effort. Once he felt the dread
ed suck about his ankles, and broke
into a reckless run. splashing straight
forward, falling at the waters edge.
vet not before the girl was resting
safely on the soft sand.
N " 00 IL o6p LIE "u6CleA
trained by strenuous outdoor life. he
lay there for a moment utterly help
less, more exhausted from the nervous
strain indeed, than the physical exer-
ton. He had realized fully the deb
perate nature of that passage. expect
ing every step to be engulfed, and the
reaction, the knowledge that they had
actually attained the shore safely. left
him weak as a child, hardly able to
comprehend the fact. The girl was
upon her feet frst. alarmed and so
licitous. bending down to touch him
with her hand,
Sergeant. you are not hurt?" she
questioned. Tell mi you are not
hurt I"
"Oh. no." dragging himself up the
bank, yet painting as he endeavored
to speak cheerfully. "Only that was
a rather hard pull. the last OF it, and 1
am short OF breath. l shall be all
right in a moment"
There was a sand-dune Just beyond,
and he seated himself and leaned
against it.
Il am beginning to breathe easier
ea0 ne explained. Sit down
here, Miss Mcdonald. We are safe
enough now In this darkness"
You are all wet. soaking wet"
THAT is nothing; the sand is warm
yet from yesterdays sum-, and my
clothes will dry fast enough. It is be-
ginning to grow light In the east"
The faces Of both turned In that di-
rection where appeared the irst twi-
light approach OF dawn. Already
were visible the dark lines OF the op
posite shore. ACROSS the CLEAN OF wa
ter. and beyond appeared the dim out
line OF the higher bluffs. The slope be-
tween river and hill, however, re-
manned in impenetrable darkness. The
minds OF both fugitives reverted to
the same sceneEthe wrecked stage
with its dead passengers within, its
savage watchers without She lifted
her head. md the soft light reflected
on her face.
II thank Cod we are not over
there now" she said falteringly.
YES" he admitted. They will be