of the boy's arms. That settled it, for they speedily hauled him
aboard. The two little girl companions of the rescued child, whose
admiration for his boldness had undoubtedly been the main cause for his
taking such great risks, stopped screaming when they saw that he was
safe in the boat.

The boys now made for the shore, as the boat was taking in water very
fast, and already their feet were soaking wet. Besides, the sooner
they reached land the better, because the boy had fainted from excess
of fright, and also on account of the desperate endeavor he had made to
keep from sinking.

A minute later and Hugh lifted him from the boat.

"We've got to get a fire started right away, Thad!" he exclaimed. "The
air isn't as warm as it might be, and he'll be shivering soon.
Besides, it's a long walk to town. Later on perhaps we may be able to
stop some car or vehicle going in on the road, and take them all home.
Here's my match-safe, so speed up a blaze, please."

It was fortunate that Hugh always made it a practice to have matches
with him. There could be no telling when they might come in very
handy, as on the present occasion; for there was no house near by at
which they could seek assistance.

Thad was always a good hand at making a fire, and he quickly found
plenty of fine tinder which flashed up when a match was applied. Then
more wood was carefully placed on the little blaze, until in a brief
time he had a cheery fire roaring.

Hugh laid the boy down where he could feel the comfortable heat. He
understood that the child could not have swallowed any water to speak
of, because he managed to keep his head above the surface, save in the
very end of his struggle. It was only a swoon or faint, and likely the
child would come out of it quickly. He rubbed the little hands, and
waited to see signs of returning animation.

Two minutes afterwards the boy's eyes opened. He looked puzzled to see
Hugh bending over him, and to hear the crackling of the fire.

"It's all right, my boy," said Hugh, encouragingly; "you fell into the
water after your raft went to pieces, and we pulled you out. Now we
mean to dry your clothes by the aid of this nice fire, and after that
we'll see you get home. Here are your little playmates, you see. You
can thank them for screaming, because only for that we might not have
come up in time."

The boy allowed his hand to run up and down his other wet sleeve.

"Dem's my Sunday-best cl