The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1916-01-27
Smoke BelleW.
Continued from Page One.

Elac kening Of the rope warned him
he began to slip. The movement was
very slow. The rope frightened loyal
", but he continued to slip. Carson
could not hold him and was slipping
with him. The digging toe of his far.
Their extended foot encountered vacan-
cy, and he knew that it was over the
straightaway fall And he knew, too.
that In another moment his falling
body would jerk Carson's after it.
I,indly, desperately. all the vitality
and life love of him beaten down in a
flashing instant by a shuddering per-
ception Of right and wrong, he brought
the knife edge across the rope. saw the
strands part, felt himself slide more
rapidly and then fall.
What happened then he did not
know he was not unconscious. but 1t
happened too quickly, and 1t was unex-
pected Instead OF falling to his death
bis feet almost Immediately struck In
water. and he sat violently down iii
wafer that splashed coolingly on his
face.
His first impression was that the
crevaSse WAS shallower than he had
ina gined and that be had safely fetch
ed bottom. But OF this he was quick
IL disabused The opposite wall was
dozen feet away He lay in basin
formed In an outjut OF the ice wall by
melting water that dribbed and trick
led over the bulge above and fell
sheer down distance OF d dozen feet
This had followed out the basin.
Where he sat the water was two feet
Gepp, and 1t was flush with the rim
He peered over the rim and looked
feet to the torrent that foamed along
the bottom
"Oh, why did your he heard Il wall
from above.
"Listen!" he called up. I'm perfect
~ safe, sitting in Il pool Of water mp
to my neck And here's both our
packs. I'm going to sit ON them
There's room for half dozen here,
If you slip stick close and you'll land,
In the meantime you hike up and get
out. Go to the cabin. Somebody s
there. | saw the smoke. Get rope
OR anything that will make rope, and
come back and fish for me-
"Honestt" came Carson's incredn-
ious voice.
Gross my heart and hope to die.
Now. get a hustle Oh or I'll catch my
death OF cold.
Smoke kept himself warm By kick
ing channel through the rim with
the heel of his shoe. by the time be
had drained off the last Of the water a
call from Carson announced that he
had reached the top.
After that Smoke occupied himself
with drying his clothes. Tue late aft
ernoon sun beat warmly In upon him
| and he wrung out his garments and
| spread them about him.
| Two hours later perched naked or
the two packs. he heard il voice above
that he could not fail to identify.
"Oh. Smoke. Smoke!"
Hello. Joy Gastell!" he called back
"Whered you drop fromT'
Are you hurt?"
Not even any skin off,
Fathers paying the rope down now
Do you see it?"
Eyes, and I've got it." he answered
Now. wait n couple Of minutes
please"
"What's the matterT' came her anx
tous query after several minutes. "Oh
know you're hurt"
mo, I'm not I'm dressing"
"Dressing?"
Yes. I've been in swimming. Now
Ready3 Hoist away!'
He sent up the two packs on the frs
trip. was subsequently rebuked By Jo
Gastel and on the second trip cam
up himself,
Joy GasteIl looked at him with glow
ing eyes while her father and Carso
were busy coiiing the rope. 'Ho'
could you cut loose in that splendi
way?" she cried. 1T vast was git
rious, that's ALL"
Smoke waved the compliment ava
with deprecatory hand.
II know all about it," she persisted
: Carson told me. You sacrificed you
self to save me-"
Nothing of the Sort" Smoke Iiet
II could see that swimming pool rigf
under me all the time"