The Border Boys in the Canadian Rockies

et that ro

ment and possibly one of unconscious incre

for a time, see. I learned ter do a balancin' act wid a troupe. I'll jes' take dat long stick

nfidence into their hearts. Under other circumstances they might not have felt it, but now, wit

fully the rope was transferred from the dripping, half-frozen Ralph to Jimmie's waist. This done, the lad carefully balanced a longish branch he had picked up, and appeared to

h bark of the tree trunk afforded a certain stability of footing, but they held their breath as they watched the waif's slend

Involuntarily they took a tighter grip on the rope. But it was only the green

ly five feet from where Persimmons, with a sub-conscious strength, was hanging on to his precarious hold, now but four feet interv

hand, he undid the rope from his waist with the other. Bending, very slowly, very cautiously, he formed a loop

around the opposite side of the tree trunk to that on which the current was pulling. But Persimmons was safe. The rope hel

along that swaying, treacherous trunk, he reached shore just as they dragged young Simmons out. It was in the nick o

en[39] a marvel!" cried Ralph throwing his arms about the boy's neck, while the professor

Sig. Montinelli, who trained me. I was so good dat he used to beat the life out uv m

ff up the rocky path for hot coffee, for he had been preparing his breakfast when the train came in. What with this stimulant and a brisk rub-down, Persimmons soon recovered and

ware's dingbats! But that's what he is, too," he added with a sort of an inspiration; "Hardware's got his bags and boxes full of fool fishing dingba

ssor offered him some, and his eyes blazed and he turned quite pale as he refused it. 'I've joined

ul in just that way again," breathed Persimmons[4

did you ever come t

ool some distance above where the tree trunk stretched out over the waters of the torrent. In some

r, he had caught at the first thing that offered, which happened to

think I could have held on a minute longer when Jimmie got that rope to me; but when I fe

f course, was the hero of the occasion, although no one could have accused him of seeking honors. The boy looked ac

en there came a clatter o

," observed the agent; "shouldn'

id the professor, "this

ayuse, rode a figure that might have stepped out of a book. His saddle[43] was of the gaily rigged ranger's type.

e curly and as yellow as corn silk, his face fiery red by constant exposure to sun and wind and snow, while his eyes, deep-set in wrinkles, were as blue as the Canad

led ready for their riders. These were followed by three pack animals of rather sor

4

as he saw the professor and the boys standing in a group outsi

rgreen!" exclaimed the p

im Bothwell, at your service. Sorry to be la

ke into an ambling trot coming down the trail in a cloud of yel