Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-24
By
REX
BEACH


YOU to fortify yourselves. From here
on we shall see nothing but the wilder
ness"
He led them to a spotless tent which
had been newly erected at the edge OF
the spruce. 1t was smoothly stretched
upon a framework Of timber, its walls
and floor were Of dressed lumber. and
within were two cots. all in clean lin
on. There were twin wristbands also.
and dressers and rocking chairs, Ia
BILE and a stove. On the floor beside
the beds lay number of deep, soft |
bear rugs A meal was spread amid
glass and figured china and fresh new
napery.
How coy. Why. it's a perfect dear
of house" exclaimed Natalie.
you will leave everything but your
necessaries here, for we are going
light" Murray told them. you will
stop here on our way back to Kyak,
and III warrant you'll be glad to see
the place by that time"
You built this just for u.s." Eliza
said. accusingly.
Yes; but it didn't take long
! phoned this morning that you were
coming" He ran critical eye over
the place to see that its equipment
was complete, then drew out their
| chairs for them.
A white coated cook boy served a
| luncheon in courses, the quality of
| which astonished the visitors, for
there was soup, roast, delicious vege
tables, crisp salad. a camembert which
O'Neil had imported for his own pri-
vate use, and his own particular blend
of coffee.
At last the party reached Jackson
| glacier. Murray O'Neil had seen the
! glacier many times, but always he ex-
perienced the same feeling of awe, Of
personal insigniicance. as when he
first came stumbling up that gorge
more than year before.
For long time the girls stood gazing
without word. They seemed to have
forgotten his presence.
"Well:' he said at last
isn't it big" Natalie faltered, with
round eyes. will it fall over on u.s.
He shook his head The river is too
wide for that, but when a particularly
big mass drops it makes waves large
enough to sweep everything before
them. This bank on our right is sixty
feet high. but I've seen it inundated"
Turning to Eliza. he inquired:
What do you think of it?''
Her face as she met his was strange
ly glorifed, her eyes were shining. her
fingers tightly interlocked.
! I'D like to cry or-or swear" she
5 said uncertainty.
Why. Eliza" Natalie regarded her
friend in shocked Amusement, but Muir
ray laughed.
i Progress was more difficult now. for
the river shore was paved with smooth,
round stones, which rolled under foot,
4 and the boats required extreme atten-
? ton in the swift current. The farther
I they proceeded the more the ice wall
| opposite increased in height until at
ldoL II SluI vi lLIt u.
Then as they rounded the first bend a
new prospect unfolded itself
At last there came a sound like that
I Of a cannon shot, and far ahead of
them a fragment loosened itself and
: went plunging downward Although 1t
appeared small, ridge promptly leap
4 ed out from beneath the splash and
came racing down the rivers bosom to-
d ward them.
Better go up Bit O'Neil called to
his charges
The men at the ends Of the towlines
scrambled part way up the shelving
beach and braced themselves, then
wrapped the ropes about their waists
like anchor men on tug Of war team
Their companions waded into the food
and Tended the boats off the rocks.
The wave came swiftly, lifting the
skiffs high upon the bank, then II
sucked them back amid a tangle OF
arms and legs. A portion of the river
bottom suddenly barred itself and as
suddenly was submerged again. The
boats plunged and rolled and beat
themselves upon the shore, wrenching
the anchor men from their posts. They
were half filed with water, too, but
the wave had passed and was scuddina
away downstream.
Eliza Appleton came stumbling bach
over the rock strewn bank, for during
the first mad plunge she had seer
O'Nen go down beneath one Of the rear
ing craft A man had helped him out
Nothing but my ankle" he reassuret
her when she reached his side. 81 wa.
dragged a bit and damned among thu
powders" He sank down, and his lip.
were white with pain, but his gray
eyes smiled bravely. The boatman re
moved his chiefs boot and fell to rub
bing the injury, while the girls looked
on helplessly.
Come, come. We can't stay here
Murray told them. He drew on tn.
boot again to check the swelling.
-Can you walkT they asked hin
anxiously.
Certainly. Two feet are really un
necessary. A man can get along near
ly as well on one" He hurried hi.
men back to their tasks and managed
to limp after them. although the effor
brought beads of sweat to his lips an(
brow.
III I'd known the river was so higt
I'd never have brought you" O'Nei
told them. It's fortunate we happen
ed to be above that break. You see
the wNVpS paD't rim mn ora;pet -,