The Monmouth inquirer., 1923-09-06

In these vast labyrinths5 nf weeds
and weed clicked water it easy TO
lose ones way, for the w.la rice In
autumn stands higher than a man.
But Blame in the three weeks ho bad
passed at the farmhouse by Lake III
beau, had learned the landmarks.
He could utmost have told his direc-
ito from the contours of the dar's
masses of trees that lay against the
phosphorescent luminosity OF the sky,
away off toward the shore.
Once his oar struck big garfish
that had been doing near the top Of
the water. In its fright it leaped
squarely against the boat, and Blame
j as so startled he nearly lost an oar
among the submerged vegetation
which made rowing so difficult.
But the incident served to wake
him up: he began to think of the
ducks how they come like spectefa
out of the i4lorning mists, and how
the gun leaps for JOY at the command
of the finger.
With the first faint light of dawn
the sport began. Blame cronching In
the boat behind his blind would see
the birds when they were but specks
in the mist that ascended from the
marsh.
The specks swiftly grew to sphercid
bodies enyeloped In haze of beating
wings, and then the report Of the gun
rolled out over the wild rice In the
excitement of shooting Blame forgot
his headache.
Gray dawn ripened into gray morn
ing, and by the time he judged the
last brace OF teal had passed it was
full day, and he set about gathering In
his spoils.
In the open water this Was simple
enough. One after another he lifted
the birds into the boat, sixteen Of
them. all glistening with wet necks.
long and limp. feathers ruffled where
the shot had entered but not blood
stained.
There were two however which had
tumbled far to one side. in an expanse
Of weed choked water almost impossi-s
BILE to penetrate. Only by using one
oar as pole was Blame able to pry
himself toward them.
After he had picked up the nearer
me, 1t was still some fifteen feet 10
the second. Just behind him was an
overturned stump. very old, that rose
Ike great touseled head above tie.
vater, with sprays Of grass growing
Id Its crevices.
Against this he placed the end Of
he oar and showed with all his might.
The boat lurched. 1t came SO sudden.
ly to stop that he barely say ed him
self from topping overheard
A glance. told him all. He hau IN
on to a submerged snag Water was
.,ushing into the boat through long
cash in the canvas.
Blanc swore gently to himself. Then
watching the water climb higher and
higher around his ankles. he swore
oadly and repeatedly. But there was
not even Time for profanity.
In minute more he would have
found himself sinking quietly into the
marsh. BY wayf Of stimulating idea.
he drained his flask and flung it saw
agely at The malevolent duck which
mad led him iL,o this strait. The bird
was not yet deed
1t answered his bad aim by flap.
ping It's wing-in derision? he wonder
ered--and by silently opening and
shutting its bill-was it laughing7
But with series of sickening shud-
ders the boat was already settling.
Blame saw only one chance. He mus,
reach that gnarled stump.
He dropped his gun. placed a foot on
the stern of the boat and leaped.
AS soon as the first chill shock of
the water passed off, he began to
splash toward the goal.
To swim was impossible because of
the water weeds.
He tried to touch bottom With his
feet. but they only became more en-
tangled in that treacherous vegeta-
ton.
Masses OF water weeds chung heay-
lily about his chest; slime filled his
ears and Tapped at his mouth.
But by reaching hand at arms
length in front OF him and striking
desperately downward. he found hs
was able to make some progress and
after an exhaustive struggle. he did
actually reach the stump and climb
out upon it.
Revived by moment Of resting, he
was somewhat inclined to laugh.
1t seemed to him ridiculous to be
rerched out there all alone, like tu.-
tie on log in the center of wild
rice marsh. But the cool wind, which
began to go through his wet clothes
as If they had been netting, quickly
brought home TO him the truth of bis
situation.
Unless something extraordinary hap
pened. he was likely to have to re-
main good long time huddled in that
seifsame stump.