Part 12 (1/2)

THE MAN WHO BRAVED THE FLOOD

THE STORY ON CAPTAIN LENDY'S BRAVE DEED

In the autumn of 1893 a police force of forty men, under the command of Captain EAW Lendy, Inspector-General of Police, in Sierra Leone, was sent to open a road to Koinadugu, which, owing to the ith the Sofas, had been closed

It was no easy task to perforle This was heavy and tiring work, and, owing to the fact that for a ed to exist on a small quantity of rice, they were not in the best condition to undertake such labour

However, so as to get the road finished as quickly as possible they worked fro them rest and peace; for the rain descended in such a manner as to add to the discomfort of their situation

On the 4th of November the force arrived at the Sell or Roquelle river The streae over it, but only a creeper rope tied across from bank to bank

The river was very full, and a swift current was running; two hundred yards below, the noise of falls sounded a warning note, and it was known that alligators infested the district

No wonder, then, that the natives were terrified at the idea of atte to swim across

Yet the river lay between Captain Lendy's force and the food and rest it needed So, though owing to the privations the men had endured their vital poere at a low ebb, yet, with starvation staring theators and falls notwithstanding

The first to cross were two policeot safe to the other side

Then followed a scene of exciteeant Smith were the next pair to start Hardly had they reachedover his arallantly went to the rescue; but it was difficult enough for hiura to support, he quickly beca for help, he and his companion disappeared from view beneath the waters

At once two otherS to his own safety

But it seele Worn by their previous exertions, the ura, and were in their turn dragged under several times in their efforts to afford him assistance Indeed, it now seeura's fate was sealed, if not that of his would-be rescuers also

It was a terrible predica waters in deadly danger Too brave and resolute to leave their comrade-in-ar out their strength in futile though heroic efforts, whilst the object of their solicitude was at his last gasp

At this moment their brave coed the aspect of affairs

Diving into the strea man; and the others, released froive their undivided attention to self-preservation

The supreme moment had arrived Would Captain Lendy's efforts end as the others had done? If so, it is probable that all would have found a watery grave in the Roquelle; for, exhausted though they were, the three other men were far too fond of their commander to have left hiht with death But Lendy was cool, calm, resourceful Yard by yard the distance between the further shore was lessened, notwithstanding the race of the waters toward the falls

Foot by foot he drew nearer to safety, though the rasp of his rescuer, unable to assist in the struggle that was going on

At length the shadow of death was dissipated; for the gallant soldier ed to land his burden on the further shore, which the others had already reached

The end of the stern co, as severalthe saraphical Society arded to Captain Lendy, and a bronze iven to his brave followers