The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1914-10-15

But there was now no escaping that
ordeal. The canoe was already spin
ming between walls where the water
ran deep and fast with a CLASSY sur
face.
The next instant II was in the Jaws:
and the man settled down to work |
with grim determination. pitting cour-
age and strength and experience
against the ravening waters that tore !
at the canoe on every hand. whose
mad clamor beat back and forth be-
tween the walls OF the gorge like vast
bellowings Of Internal mlrth.
lie fought like one possessed.
There was E,yer an instants grace
for judgment or execution; the ono
must be- synchronous with the other.
both instantaneous. or else-destruo-
ton.
The canoe wove this way and that
like an insane shuttle threading some
satanic loom. Now II hesitated. nun
King a gigantic boulder over which
the water woye pale green and
gliatening hood. now In the space Of
heartbeat II shot forward twice tn
length through sea Of Dreaming
waves. now plunged wildly toward
what promised instant annihilation
and cheated that only by the timely
plunge Of a paddle. guided by luck or
instinct OF both.
The one ray OF hope In Alan's rnind.
when no surveyed before committing
himself and the woman he loved 10
that hideous gauntlet sprang from
the fact that. however rough. tho
rapids wJre snort Now. when he had
been In their gasp a minute, he
seemed TO have been there hours.
His laborings were tremendous. I'M
bellevable, inspired. In the end they
were all but successful The goal OF
safety was within thirty seconds
more OF quick. hard work. when Alans
paddle broke and the canoe swung
broadside TO boulder. turned turtle
and srecipltated both headlong into
that savage welter.
A the next few minutes passed he
was lighting like mad thing against
overwhelming odda T'han, OF a sud.
den. he found himself retsotsd. spewed
forth from the cataract and swimming
mechanically In the smooth water OF
vide pool beyond the lovermost
eddy. the canoe Heating bottom up
near by. and Rose supporting herself
with one hand ON H.
Her eyes met his. clear with the
sanity Of her adorable courage.
He fioundered 10 her side. painted In
structions to transfer her hand 20 his
shoulder. and struck out for the
nearer shore.
Both found footing at tho sam,
time and waded out to collapse. az
hauHted. against the bank.
Then. with n sickening cngln. AlaI
remembered the pursuit lie ross ans
looked up the rapid just In time !,
view the last swift quarter Of thu
canoes descent Judith IN TO bow
motionless. a rife across hsr knees. II
the stern an Indian guide kneelinl
and fighting the waters with scarcel
perceptible effort In contrast viii
Aan's supreme struggles
, Like a living thing the cano'
seemed 20 gather itself together. q
, poise. TO leap with all It's strength
II hurdled the eddy IN bound. tool
the st.ll water with mighty splash
, and shot downstream at diminishe
/. speed. the Indian furiously backin
water.
As though that had been the on
moment she had lived for Judlt
. lifted her rife and brought Il to bea
upon her sister.
Z With cry OF horror. Alan fun
Q himself before Rose. a living shlelC
. anticipating nothing but immedlat
!. death. This was not accorded hin
n For breathless instant tho woman 4