The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-08-31

He was on his feet, the map grlpped
in his hand, but made no effort TO
stop me, as dropped him a curtsy
and retreated. But he was there still
when glanced back from out the
safety OF the tent, his forehead creased
by frown. When he finally turned
away the map was crushed shapeess
In his fingers.
The morning dawned somewhat
warmer, but with every promise Of
storm, threatening clouds hanging
above the water, sullen and menaclng.
their edges tipped with lightning. The
roar OF distant thunder came to our
ears, yet there was no wind. and Gas.
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 Casslon consented. after |
had exhibited some temper, ordering
a soldier In the sergeants canoe to
exchange places with me.
We may have proceeded for half a
league. when fog swept In toward
the land enveloplng 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'Ardgny's boat had
turned about. and he was endeavorlng
to induce Casslon to go ashore and |
make camp before the storm broke. !
The latter. however. was obstinate. |
claiming we were close enough for |
safety, and finally. In angry voice. In
sisted upon proceeding on our course.
DArtigny, evidently feeling argu.
ment useless. made no reply, but | |
noticed he held back his paddles and |
permitted Casslons canoe 10 forge
ahead. He must have discovered that |
was not with monsieur, for | saw
him stare intently at each Of the other
canoes. as though TO make sure Of my
presence, shading his eyes with one
hand, as he peered through the thick.
enlng 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 | sat
Cassion had already vanished In the
fog, which swept thicker and thicker
along the surface Of the water, the
nearer boats becoming mere lndIstlnct
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. II was
a ghastly scene, rendered more awe
some by the glare OF lightning which
seemed TO split the vapor, aud the
sound OF thunder reverberatlng from
the surface Of Ile lake.
The water a CHASTITY greenlsh gray,
heaved beneath, giving us little diff.
Guilty yet terrifying IN its suggestion
Of sullen strength, and the shore line
was barely discernible TO the left as
we struggled forward What obstlnacy
Casslon to keep us nj the
task | know not-perchance a dislike
10 yield to D'Artlsny's advlce-but the
sergeant swore TO himself. and turned
the prov OF our canoe inward. hug
glng the shore as closely as he dared.
bis anxious eyes searching every rift
In the mist.
Yet, dark and drear as the day was.
we had no true warning OF the ap.
storm, for the vapor cling.
Ing to the water concealed from our
sight the clouds above. When Il came
L burst upon us with mad ferocity.
The wind whlrlIng to the north and
striking as with all the force OF three
hundred miles OF open sea. The mist
was swept away with that first fierce
gust, aud we were struggling for life
N a wild turmoil OF waters. had
lut a glimpse OF lt--a glimpse OF wild
aging sea: Of black, scurrylng clouds.
30 close above could almost reach
,ut and touch them; OF dlmly revealed
'anoes flung about like chips, driving
before the blast
Our own was hurled forward like an
Irrow the Indian padders working
Ike mad to keep stern to the wind.
heir long hair whipping about. The
,oldlers crouched In the botttm, cling :
ng grlmly to any support, their white
aces exhibiting the abasement OF fear.
rhe sergeant alone spoke, yelling his
riders, as he welded steering paddle.
lis hat blown from his head his face
,hastly with sudden terror II was but
lie glimpse of an Instant; then n pad
lie broke, the canoe swung sideways.
balanced on the crest Of a wave and
vent over.
was conscious OF cries, shrll. in
tnntly smothered, and then sank. ,
hard to keep above water,
'et borne down by the weight of the
anoe. came up again, choking and ,
nlf strangled ana sought to grip the ,
'oat as II whlrled past My fingers
ound nothing to cling to, slipping
long the wet keel until went down
gain, but this time holding my /