Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1919-10-31

butt of KirbyS pistol descended on my
head, so decorating my scalp the drip
ping blood blinded my eyes. The blow
partially stunned me, and l half fell,
clutching at the rail, yet dimly con-
scious that the two straining men
were uplifting my useless body, Carver
swearing viciously as he helped to
thrust me outward over the wooden
bar. The next instant fell, the sheer
ing cackle of Kirby's laugh of triumph
echoing in my ears until drowned in
the splash as / struck the black water
below.
came back to the surface dazed
and weakened, yet sufficiently con-
sciOuS to make an intelligent struggle
for life. The over-hang of the rapidly
passing boat still concealed me from
the observation of those above. on the
deck, and the advantage of permitting
them to believe that the blow on my
head had resulted in drowning, to-
gether with the knowledge that | must
swiftly get beyond the stroke of that
deadly wheel, flashed instantly through
my brain. 1t was like tonic, reviving
every energy. Waiting only to inhale
one deep breath of air, plunged back
once more into the depths, and swan
strongly under water. The effort
proved successful, for when l again
ventured to emerge, gaspng and ex-
hauSted the little Warrior had swept
past, and become merely shapeless
outline, barely visible above the sur
face of the river.
Slowly treading water, my lips held
barely above the surface 1 drew in
deep draughts of cool night air, my
mind becoming more active as hope re-
turned. The blow / had received was
savage one, and panied DULY, but the
cold water in which l had been i'm
mersed had caused the bleeding to
cease, and likewise revived all my fac
ulties. The very fact that no effort was
made to stop was sufficient proof that
Throckmorton in the wheelhouse re-
manned unconscious of what had Oc.
Cured On the deck below. MY fate
might never be discovered or suspect
ed. | was alone, submerged in the
great river, the stars overhead alone
piercing the night shadows A log
swept by me, white bursts of spray il
Eliminating its sides, and l grappled it
gratefully, my fingers finding grip on
the sodden bark. Using this for par
tial support, and ceasing to battle SO
desperately against the down-sweep of
the current, l managed finally to work
my way into an eddy, struggling on
ward until my feet at last touched
bottom at the end of a low, out-crOp-
ping point of sand. This proved to be
a mere spit, but l waded ashore, water
streaming from my clothing. conscious
now of such complete exhaustion that
l sank instantly Outstretched upon the
sand, gasping painfully for breath,
every muscle and nerve throbbing.
The night was intensely still, black,
impcnetrable. 1t seemed as though no
human being could inhabit that DESC
late region. / lifted my head to listen
for the slightest sound of life, and
strained my eyes to detect the distant
glimmer of light in any direction.
Nothing rewarded the effort. Yet sure
ly here on this long-settled west bank
of the Mississippi l could not be far
removed from those of my race, for /
knew that all along this river shore
We're cultivated plantations and little
frontier towns irregularly served by
passing steamboats,.
The night air increased in chilliness
as the hours approached dawn, and
shivered In my wet clothes, although
this only served to arouse me into i'm
mediate action. Realizing more than
ever as | again attempted to move my
weakness and exhaustion from the
struggle, succeeded in gaining my feet,
and stumbled forward along the mar
row spit of sand, until / attained a
bank of firm earth, up which / crept
painfully, emerging at last upon fair
ly level spot, softly carpeted with
grass, and surrounded by grove of
forest trees. The shadows here were
dense, but my feet encountered de-
preston in the soil, which soon iden-
titled as rather well-defined path
leading inland. Assured that this must
point the way to some door, as it was
evidently no wild animal trail, / felt
my way forward cautiously, eager to
attain shelter, and the comfort of a
fire.
| came suddenly to patch of culti-
waited land, bisected by small stream,
the path was following leading along
its bank. Holding to this for guidance,
within less than hundred yards
came to the house / was seeking,
small, log structure, overshadowed by
q gigantic oak, and standing isolated
and alone. Believing the place to be
occupied by slave, or possibly some
white squatter, l advanced directly to
the door, and called loudly to whoever
might be within.
There was no response, and, believ-
ing the occupant asleep, raped
sharply. Still no voice answered, al
though | felt convinced of some move
mpnt inside leading mo RI hnl;ox,o fbot