New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-07-16
The
Treacherous Ford
By WILLIAM II. GREENE
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Two men in high boots and hunting
costumes. each with u rifle upon his
shoulder, had Just waded across Vel
low Creek. at a point where there were
rocks TO aid them, and a firm, sandy
bottom. with no slippery mud.
One slightly In advance of the other
they came upon what appeared to be
q narrow, but unusually hard, smooth
beach.
Suddenly the one In front stumbled
slightly and stopped, his feet spread
apart In a peculiar attitude.
Look out !" he cried.
whats the matter?" asked the 9th,
er. stepping up TO his side.
He needed no reply TO this question,
however. He also slipped In the same
queer fashion.
See II YOU can step back said the
younger Of the two men.
The other made a determined effort
TO lift first n foot. and then the 9th
er, but only succeeded In sinking them
both deeper into the treacherous,
harmless looking sand.
Il can't lift either foot" he painted,
"See what you can do"
The younger man made Nh equally
futile attempt. His feet seemed ms il
held In a wise. soft and yielding, but
stronger than steel.
Its no use" he said. And then,
with a sudden access Of terror: Look
It's almost up TO my knees-the sticky.
Shiny stuff!
Ills lips twitched and drops OF per-
SEPARATION stood upon his forehead.
1T Is up to my knees said the
other. "lts-something's pulling at
my feet!" His voice rose almost to
a shrek. Let me go! / OH"
The younger man had Strengthened
himself up, and as he watched his com.
paniOn the look Of terror ON his own
face changed, and some of his color
returned. His lips ceased to tremble,
n q determined lOOk came into his
eyes. Grasplng the other by the arm,
and shaking him roughly, he said:
stop that! Stop II, l say. We
mustn't lose Il nerve now. We've got
TO think quickly. Every second we
stand here we're sinking deeper. It's
up to us. This Is no time TO get
scared"
That's right" agreed the older man,
controlling himself with an evident ef-
fort. Gee" he added, passing his
hand across his face, Il nearly vent
of my trolley for a minute"
Good heavens. isn't there something
ne can dol" said the shorter man.
Maybe you could. lift me out" said
his younger companion. "Yon are
very strong. If could get over TO the
bank ! could reach out one OF the guns
for you 10 take hold OF and drag
you out"
without n word the shorter man
leaned over and grasped the other
about the legs, straining every muscle
until his face turned purple with the
effort and the veins stood out on his
forehead until IL seemed as II they
must burst.
He succeeded only In burying his
own feet q little deeper In the mercl-
less sand.
mo use" he admitted as he straight.
ened up, his chest heaving like a bel.
lows. II can't bulge you"
Then his face. which had been ron.
torted with fear, assumed n crafty
look. lie looked nj his compaDion
with calculating eyes.
"Tve got an Idea that might save
one Of U.S." he said. There's M use
IN both Of MS going under, II one Gun
be saved. Ia there;"
His face flushed, and he looked AWAY
as he made the suggestion.
NO, | suppose not answered the
boy.
well, then" the other continued,
still looking sway. this is the idea
II one Of US threw himself forward.
face down. on the beach here, the other
Cuuiu pIoDHbiy 'ilih' ohfi HiH Hlu gfl
to the bank.
IT'S q chance. and the n who acts
as the human bridge Is n goucr sure.
But Wen both go down In n few min-
utes. and smother like rats, n we don't
try something"
II see." said the younger man. n NJ.
tie coldly. But who We're friends
of course. and have been for years.
and all that. but It's a good deal " a
sacrifice"
I'm not asking you To he n hero"
said the other hastily. well toss n
coin for It. And don't lets do any
more arguing. We're wasting valuable
"All right" agreed the Young fellow.
''I'm game. II you think it's The only
way for one OF us to be- saved"
Have you any better idea 10 ofery"
"No."
Then come on"
They both felt In their pockets for
Il was always pretty lucky at any
sasrA Nastees ~ sas