Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-09-10


pale gray light found that the river
had risen until the hull of tbs Ark was
resting or the muddy bank. He ex-
anined the motor and found 1t IN order
for an early start II 1t should be nee
essary.
II seemed vastly important that he
should get the ARK out of the main
current and into some safe inlet before
the red bridge broke away. as 1t must
under the pressure Of the swollen riv-
er. Even now he could hear the dull
roar OF water against the umbers.
But daylight brought gathering OF
skeptical farmers. who reluctantly fas-
tened the shaking bridge to the viii
lows by heavy logging chains at the
four corners Of its thirty foot span.
She'll stand all right now We've
seen 1t worse'p this" grunted Ezra
Bead, with quizzical squint at Noah's
disturbed face. Want any help push
ing your boat of the bankT"
"If you can spare time" returned the
young man IF the bridge should
break away
1T won't break away; the waters
falling already" interrupted Ezra. ex-
aiming the two inches OF river that
had overhowed the meadow where
they stood
BY noon the Ark was moving down
stream with the current The red
bridge was straining at the chains,
and wagons were going around by the
new cement bridge at the upper falls
Noah made fast to G. bending willow
and cooked his dinner. Just as he had
concluded the meal there came a grind
ing crash from upstream. mingled with
the roar OF coming waters. A little L.
land protected the Ark from the main
current. and Noah watched keenly
from his safe harbor for anything that
might come with the food
First came the red bridge end on Ike
some queer. crazy raft teeterfng up and
down In the strong current Behind II
bobbed one of the willows pulled FROM
the bank by the wrecked bridge. When
bridge and tree had disappeared Noah
got into his skiff and rowed around
the island to wait for further floating
objects Here and there along the nv
er banks were lighthouses or occasion
al springhoUses where the farmers
obtained their drinking water. In any
one of these riverside houses. which
must come down with the food. might
be a human being caught unawares.
At last there was sound Of voices.
and there came riding down the cur
rent a small boathouse with Its gabled
roof pointing downstream. and sitting
around the open doorway with feet
swinging inside the little building were
four people.
Noah did not attempt TO catalogue
them by name or identity. He simply
reached out his handy boathook and
pulled gently az first and then with all
his strength until the house swiried
heavily around and crashed to a mo
mentary anchorage on the shore OF the
almost inundated island
"I'll take you of In my boat Hold
on there for a moment! cried Noah.
and In Eve exciting minutes he had
transferred the four voyagers to the
safe deck OF the Ark. where they all
gaxed breathlessly at each other be
fore bursting into EXPLANATIONS Of sur
prise and JOY at their rescue.
Noah looked curiously at them
There was Simon Bead. sunburned and
dripping wet: there was undoubtedly
Lem Peters, whose cranial contour In
dicated that fractions and he would
never come to a definite understand
ing: there was Susie Anderson fat and
flaxen haired and good naturally stu
Did looking. and last because she was
not the least was a blue gowned girl
with raven hair and starry blue eyes
and cheeks quite pink with excitement
We'll. Simon. suppose you introduce
me to your teacher and your school
mates" be said at last
Miss Decker looked encouragingly at
Simon. who twisted his fingers In his
hair and shot an agonized glance at his
rescuer
That's her" he stammered. pointing
a finger at bis teacher. That's Miss
4 Ahas . NA9sSt NAsN
she never bawied once, mister. when
the river fioated US while we was say
ing grammar; and that's Lem; he hol-
Tered some. and so did /; and say. mis-
ter. we had that ice cream last nightr'
be ended. with shining eyes
"I'm very glad" said Noah kindly,
as he shook hands with Molly Decker
and her two bashful charges Now
that you're safely on the Ark-yes. this
Is really Noah's Ark. my name Is Noah
Parker-suppose we find something to
eat. Perhaps Miss Decker will take
you below and rummage in the kitchen
while go out and watch for more
casta ways"
While Noah waited around at the
end OF the island. Molly and the chill
dren found materials and prepared an
appetizing meal for the weary Noah
when he should return to the Ark.
As they gathered around the table
a