With Washington in the west;

by Edward Stratemeyer

In the meantime Dave was doing his best to gain control of his own steed which was badly frightened and snorting wildly. But the current was strong beyond the rocks and despite his best efforts, the steed went with it instead of turning toward the bank. Then, without warning the horse struck a sharp rock, turned over, and Dave was flung headlong.

So rapid was the turn of affairs, and so entirely unexpected, that for the moment after disappearing under the surface of the stream, Dave scarcely knew what was happening. He opened his mouth, took a gulp of water, and then closed his mouth again in a hurry. He could swim fairly well, and instinctively struck out for the surface.

When he came up he was directly opposite the spot where the deer had first appeared and by his side floated the animal he had shot and killed. Looking ashore he saw the Indians, gathered in a group on the bank and gazing at him and the game in astonishment. One of the red men shouted at him in the Indian tongue and two of the braves raised their bows and arrows. Seeing the latter movement Dave promptly dove out of sight again.

The youth was greatly perplexed concerning what to do next, and so were the Indians. The appearance of the whites was a complete surprise to the red men, who had been thinking of nothing but the deer they had been after. The leader, a tall and not bad-looking savage, yelled again at Dave, and spoke to those with him, ordering the bows to be lowered. Then one of the party brought forth a lasso, and after some trouble managed to bring the dead deer ashore, along with two others of the herd which the red men themselves had laid low.

Below the spot where the deer had been sighted the river made a sharp turn and divided into two branches, the one flowing to the north the other to the west. Here both channels were narrow and deep, and the water ran with increased swiftness.

Dave tried to land on the spur of shore which divided the stream but failed. On he swept, through the channel leading northward. Here at first the banks were overgrown with brush, and tall trees sent their branches down almost within reach of his hand. Soon, however, the character of the surroundings changed and he found the stream cutting its way between two walls of rock. The top of the banks were far out of his reach and his heart sank within him.

“No wonder Sam warned me to beware of the river,” he thought, dismally. “Where in the wide world can this lead to?”

As a projecting rock came within reach he tried to stay his progress. But his strength was not equal to the task, and torn from the hold, he was hurried on again, to another bend, where the water boiled and foamed in a most alarming manner. Fearful that the end was at hand he closed his eyes and prayed to God that his life might be spared to him. Then he whirled on and on, over some jagged stones and around the bend, and at last into smooth water again. He was now so faint and dizzy that he could do little besides keeping his head above water.

Quarter of an hour passed,—to poor Dave it appeared much longer,—and the rocks gradually gave way to loose stones and dirt, and the bushes and trees again appeared. The stream was growing wider and presently the floating youth struck another point where it divided into two branches, forming an island in the center half a mile long. His feet struck bottom, and more dead than alive, he dragged himself to the island and sank down on a grassy bank exhausted.

How long he rested he could hardly tell, afterwards. The setting of the sun far over the forest to the westward startled him and made him leap to his feet. He must get back to where he had left Barringford and that, too, without loss of time.