The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 70: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

262 THE TRACK OF MIDNIGHT. and they kept their panting horses at it until they heard a dull roar in the distance. The meaning was clear to each of them, and neither spoke ; they only sat the tighter in their saddles, and urged their horses into a quicker pace, till the sound of the rushing waters was distinct and near at hand. ‘We have struck the bluff they said was opposite the humpy,’’ Douglas said shortly, as he stopped his horse and dismounted. Johnson followed his example, and, securing the animals, they advanced cautiously on foot. The roar sounded louder in their ears, and dimly through the dark of the night they saw, below them, a wide stretch of rushing water. As they stood, each man straining his eyes to penetrate further through the gloom, neither spoke, although the same thought was in each one’s mind. Gradu- ally they made out the dark shadow of standing trees somewhere in the middle of the expanse ; but the trees were not very high above the surface, and certainly no humpy was ever built whose roof would reach to where the water swept past the trees. Still the two men stood watching in silence, each one hoping that the other would be able to make out something he could not himself see, but which would give the lie direct to the growing conviction in his mind. Then, with one impulse, each stretched out his hand and grasped his comrade by the arm. * From across the waste of swirling food there came another sound besides the roar and rush, and the hearts of the two men stood still as they heard the faint, muffled shrieks of women come from acrossthe stream. ‘‘hen the shrieks became louder, and they heard the words, ‘‘ Help! Help !’’ ‘Thank God !’’ Douglas exclaimed, and placing his hand to his mouth, he gave a loud, long coo-ee. The cries ceased, and a shrill coo-ee answered his. ‘‘ Where are you?’’ he shouted as loudly as he could, and the one word ‘‘ roof ’’ was all that they could hear of the answer. ““Can you hold on ?’”’ he shouted again. The roar of the flood smothered the words that were sent in reply. ‘" Not long,’’? Douglas shouted, ‘‘ not long ;’’ and as if it were an echo from thé other side, came back the words ‘‘ not long.’’ Then he turned to Johnson. ‘It’s a swim,’’ he said. ‘‘’There’s no other chance,’’ Johnson replied. ‘“ Shall we go together?’’ | ‘Better go singly. If the first goes under = ‘“ Just so,’’ Douglas interrupted. ‘‘ Tll-try first.’’ Without further words, they set about making arrangements for the at- tempt which might result in the rescue of the two women, or the drowning of the two men. Taking with him a coil of light rope, Douglas suggested entering the stream higher up. ‘‘ Ican go with the current and strike across for the trees,’’ he said quietly. ‘‘ Build up a big fire on the bluff here, and it will guide me.’’ EeGom boo CS (@) €om