When I turned around, there he was, right behind me, grabbing at
my cloak!
I jumped for the foot log and started crawling across,
clinging on with hands and feet. At first it was all right. Then
the log began to sway and swing. It was wet, slick. Halfway
across, I got to a bowed-up place where I had to get down
astraddle of the log and slide myself along. I almost slipped
off!
I didn't dare look down at the gushing water and rocks or
behind me to see how close Mister Ward was. I knew he was already
on the log, for I could feel it give with every step he took. I
glanced back. He was inching his way along, walking sideways.
"You little idiot, stop! You're gonna fall and drown, shore
as hell!"
I couldn't stop! Not with him about to grab me! He was on his
knees now, crawling, not three feet behind me!
"Young'un! For God's sake, come back! This damn river's way
over your head! Mine too!"
I was getting closer and closer to the other bank, almost
close enough to jump. I felt the log beginning to sag! Crack!
"God 'a mercy! Help!"
The log was breaking, and Mister Ward was falling!
I leaped!
"Help! Somebody, help!" There was a loud splash! "O God!"
I crawled back to the edge of the bank to look.
Pages:
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167