screaming, and acting as though half frightened to death. The
reason for their alarm was not hard to see, for at some little distance
out from the bank a small boy, as black as the ace of spades, was
having a terrible time trying to keep his footing on a plank that had
been a part of a rude raft, doubtless fashioned by his own hands.

He had wished to "show-off" before his little playmates, and after
rudely fastening several boards taken from the tumble-down old mill
into a crude attempt at a raft, had boldly launched the same. With a
pole he had stepped aboard, and then proceeded to "cut capers."
Encouraged by the admiration of the other children, he must have become
more and more reckless, so that he soon reached a point far enough
distant from land to prevent him from touching bottom with his pole.

This sudden discovery may have alarmed him, and in his endeavor to
paddle, he had caused his raft to part in sections. So there he was
now clinging to one plank, and in immediate danger of falling into the
water, which out there was doubtless many times over his head.

"Keep steady, there, boy!" shouted Thad. "Stick to your plank, and
we'll get you ashore all right! Don't be scared, whatever you do!
Thad, how can we reach him?"

"There's an old boat pulled up on the shore a little ways above here,"
said the other quickly, for he had the faculty of thinking of
everything when an emergency arose, an admirable trait in any boy.

So they started on a run, heading for the spot, and hoping the tragedy
would hold off until they could launch the old craft, which leaked more
or less, but was likely to hold long enough for them to accomplish the
rescue.

Passing the two small girls, Thad shot out words of encouragement to
them.

"Stop that screaming!" he told them, with an air of authority. "You
only rattle the boy, don't you know? We're going after a boat so as to
get out to him. It's close by, and much safer than swimming. Tell him
to keep still, and we'll get him in a jiffy!"

Of course he did not slacken his pace any while jerking out these
words. They at least seemed to have some effect on the two children,
for they stopped shrieking.

Just as the boys reached the boat, however, the cries broke out again
with redoubled energy. Thad glanced back, and immediately exclaimed:

"He's fallen in, Hugh! We've got to hurry, you know!"

"Here's one of the paddles; do you see anything of the other?" demanded
Hug