bler and feebler; he was about to give up his unequal
struggle with the waves.

"Take hold of me," he said. "Have courage, and I will save you."

John seized him with the firm grip of a drowning person, and nearly
prevented him from striking out. But Mr. Morton's strength served him
in good stead; and, notwithstanding the heavy burden, he succeeded in
reaching the bank in safety, though with much exhaustion.

John no sooner reached the bank than he fainted away. The great danger
which he had just escaped, added to his own efforts, had proved too much
for him.

Mr. Morton, fortunately knew how to act in such emergencies. By the use
of the proper remedies, he was fortunately brought to himself, and his
preserver offered to accompany him home. John still felt giddy, and
was glad to accept Mr. Morton's offer. He knew that his father would
be angry with him for having the boat fitted up without his knowledge,
especially as he had directed Mr. Plane to charge it to his father's
account. Supposing that Squire Haynes approved, the carpenter made no
objections to doing so. But even the apprehension of his father's anger
was swallowed up by the thought of the great peril from which he had
just escaped, and the discomfort of the wet clothes which he had on.

Mr. Morton, too, was completely wet through, with the exception of his
coat, and but for John's apparent inability to go home alone, would at
once have returned to his boarding-house to exchange his wet clothes for
dry ones.

It so happened that Squire Haynes was sitting at a front window, and saw
Mr. Morton and his son as they entered the gate and came up the graveled
walk. He had never met Mr. Morton, and was surprised now at seeing him
in John's company. He had conceived a feeling of dislike to the young
man, for which he could not account, while at the same time he felt a
strong curiosity to know more of him.

When they came nearer, he perceived the drenched garments, and went to
the door himself to admit them.

"What's the matter, John?" he demanded hastily, with a contraction of
the eyebrows.

"I'm wet!" said John shortly.

"It is easy to see that. But how came you so wet?"

"I've been in the river," answered John, who did not seem disposed to
volunteer any particulars of his adventure.

"How came you there?"

"Your son's boat capsized," explained Mr. Morton; "and, as you will
judge from my appearance, I jumped in after him. I should advise him to
change