The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-09-07

cold. We take the boats early and |
would rest while can"
He was on his feet, the map gripped
In his hand, but made no effort to
stop me. as l dropped him n curtsy,
and retreated. But he was there still
when l glanced back from out the
safety Of the tent, his forehead creased
by frOwn. When he finally turned
away the map was crushed shapeless
in his fingers.
The morning dawned somewhat
warmer, but with every promise of a
storm, threatening clouds hanging
above the water, sullen and menacing.
their edges tipped with lightning. The
roar Of distant thunder came to our
ears, yet there was no wind, and Cas-
sion decided that the clouds would
drift southwark, and leave us safe
passage along the shore. His canoe
had been wrenched in making landing
the evening before. and had taken in
considerable water during the night.
This was bailed out. but the interior
was so wet and uncomfortable that |
begged to be given place in another
boat, and Cassion consented, after |
had exhibited some temper, ordering
a soldier in the sergeant's canoe to
exchange places with me.
We may have proceeded for half
league, when fog swept in toward
the land enveloping US in its folds,
although we were close enough to the
shore so as to keep safely together,
the word being passed back down the
line, and as we drew nearer | became
aware that D'Artigny's boat had
turned about, and he was endeavoring
to induce Cassion to go ashore and
make camp before the storm broke.
The latter, however, was obstinate,
we were close enough for
safety, and finally, in angry voice, in
sisted upon proceeding on our course.
D'Artigny, evidently feeling argu-
ment useless! made no reply, but
noticed he held back his paddles and
permitted Cassion's canoe to forge
ahead. He must have discovered that
| was not with monsieur, for l saw
him stare intentIy at each of the other
as though to make sure of my
presence, shading his eyes with one
hand, as he peered through the thick
ening mist. This action evidenced the
first intimatiOn had for days of his
continued Interest in my welfare. and
my heart thrObbed with sudden pleas
ure. Whether or not he felt some pre-
monitiOn of danger, he certainly spoke
words of instruction to his Indian pad
dlerS, and so manipulated his craft as
to keep not far distant, although slight
ly farther from shore, than the canoe
in which l sat
Cassion had already vanished in the
fog, which swept thicker and thicker
along the surface of the water. the
nearer boats becoming mere indistinct
shadows. Even within my own canoe
the faces of those about me appeared
gray and blurred, as the damp vapor
swept over us in dense clouds. 1t was
CHASTITY scene, rendered more awe
some by the glare of lightning which !
seemed to split the vapor, and the |
sound of thunder reverberating from
he surface of the lake.
The water, a ghastly, greenish gray,
leaved beneath, giving us little diff |
lu1tV vat fnrrifviDp ;r IT, ,,,roo,4so. |
If sullen strength, and the shore line
vas barely discernible to the left as
We struggled forward. What obstinacy
CaSsiOn to keep us at the |
ask l know nOt-perchance a dislike
o yield to D'Artigny's advice-but the
sergeant swOre to himself, and turned |
he PROV Of our canoe inward, hug
,ing the shore as closely as he dared,
lis anxious eyes searching every rift
n the mist.
Yet, dark and drear as the day was,
We had no true warning of the ap-
,rOaching storm, for the vapor cling
ng to the water concealed from our
light the clouds above. When it came
burst upon US with mad ferocity, |
he wind whirling to the north and
triking US with all the force Of three
hundred miles of open sea. The mist |
vas swept away with that first fierce
'ust, and we were struggling for life
n a wild turmoil of waters. l had
'ut glimpse of it-a glimpse Of wild,
aging sea; Of black, scurrying clouds,
o close above I could almost reach
ut and touch them; of dimly revealed
anoes flung about like chips, driving
efore the blast.
Our own was hurled forward like an
rrOw, the Indian paddlers working
Ike mad to keep stern to the wind,
heir long hair whipping about. The
Oldiers crOuched in the bottom, cling
lg grimly to any support. their white
aces exhibiting the abasement of fear.
he sergeant alone spoke. yelling his
rders, as he welded steering paddle,
Is hat blown from his head, his face
hastily with sudden terror 1t was but
be glimpse Of an instant; then a pad
lie broke, the canoe swung sideways,
alanced on the crest OF a wave and
rent over.
was conscious Of cries, shrill, in
tantly smOthered, and then l sank,
hard to keep above water,
ct borne down by the weight of the
lnOe. came up again, choking and
alf strangled, and sought to grip the
Oat as it whirled past My fingers
'und nothing to cling to. slipping
long the wet keel. until l went down
gain. but this time holding my