The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-11-02

Sidi Solol, Nululle At ieuSlu dlloWcu
herself to be ~dissuaded, and Eliza set
tied herself In her seat with the dis
turbing consciousness that she had
made herself appear selfish and rude
In O'Nei's eyes. Nevertheless she had
no notion Of changing her mind.
When the other girl had gone the
oarsman completed his preparations
by flashing fast the contents Of the
skiff, a proceeding which Eliza watch
ed with some un~easiness. O'Neil show
ed his resentment by a pointed silence.
which nettled her, and she resolved to
hold her seat though the boat turned
somersaults.
Word was finally given, and they
swung out into the flood. O'Neil stood
as best he could on his firm leg and
steered by means Of a sculling oar.
while the Norwegian rowed Justify.
Bits of drift, patches Of froth, frag-
ments of ice accompanied them. bob
bing alongside so persistently that
Eliza fancied the boat must be sta
t%ionary until, glancing at the river
banks, she saw them racing past like
the panoramic scenery in a melO-
drama. The same glance showed her
that they were rushing directly to-
ward the upper ramparts of Jackson
glacier, as If for IN assault. Out here
In the current there were waves, and
these increased in size as the bed of
the Salmon grew sleeper. until the pol
ing boat began to rear and leap like a
frightened horse. The cleaning wall
ahead rose higher with every instant.
1t overhung. a giant. crumbling cliff,
imposing, treacherouS. Then the
stream turned at right angles; they
were swept along parallel with the ice
face, and ahead Of them for three
miles stretched the gauntlet. The tot
tering wall seemed almost within
reaching distance; its breath was cold
and damp and clammy. O'Neil stood
erect and powerful in the stern. sway
ing to the antics Of the craft, his
weight upon the sweep. hts eyes fixed
upon the thing overhead. The Nor
wegian strained at his oars while the
sweat ran down into his open shirt.
The boat lunged and wallowed des-
perately. rising on end, falling with
prodigious slaps. d~renching the occu-
pants with spray. 1t was splendid.
terrifying. Eliza chung to her seat
and felt her heartbeats smothering
her. Occasionally the oarSman turn
ed, staring past her with round, fright
ened eyes and affording her a glimpse
of a face working with mingled fear
and exultation.
Thus far the glacier had not disput-
ed their passage. 1t maintained the
silence and the immobility Of marble.
Nothing but the snarl of the surging
food re-echoed from its face. But
with the suddenness Of a rifle shot
there came defamation, louder, sharp
er than any blast of powder. The
Norwegian cursed; the helmsman
dropped his eyes to the white face in
the bow and smiled.
Half q mile ahead Of them q mass
Of ice came rumbling down, and the
whole valley rocked with the sound.
Onward the little craft fled, a dancing
speck beneath the majesty of that
frozen giant, an atom threatened by
the weight Of mountains. At last
through the opening Of the gorge be-
low came q glimpse Of the fats that
led to the sea. A moment later the boat
swung into an eddy and came to rest.
humping against the powders.
O'Neil sat down, wiping his wet face.
well. was it worth your trouble,
Miss Observation-Disclosures" he asked.
"Oh, 1t was glorious! I'll never for
get it." Eliza's cheeks were burning
now, her aching hands relaxed their
hold, and she drew n deep breath-the
first Of which she had been conscious
since the start, fifteen minutes before.
"Now, on with your boots and your
sweater. Well have an hours walt
for Natalie"
She gave a cry of surprise and Of
fered him a glimpse of a trim ankle
and a dripping foot.
"See! They're wet, and l wriggled
my toes right through my stockings. l
never was SO excited"
The boatman fastened the painter
and resumed his outer clothing. O'Neil
lit a cigar and asked:
Tell me. why did you insist on com
mgr
Il was afraid something might hap
pen to you" He raised his brOws, and
she flushed. Don't you understand?
Dan would never have forgiven me
and-and-I just had to come, that's
all It's corking material for mel
thought you might upset, and IL
don't know why l insisted" She bent
over her stubborn boots. hiding her
face. She was flaming to the ears. for
suddenly she knew the a that had
prompted her. 1t rushed upon her like
a sense of great shame. She recalled
the desperate grip at her heart when
she had zen him ready to leave. the
wildness of her longing to share his
danger. the black fear that he might