CHAPTER XXX

A NIGHT ALARM

By that strange destiny which oftentimes frowns on the good and lends a
helping hand to the evil, Randy experienced no very disastrous results
from the collision. The canoe rebounded a few feet, and the sail fell
from the mastpole into the water.

He was terribly shaken up, it is true, but far greater was the shock
when he realized what he had done. At first nothing was visible but the
upturned boat and a yellow dog paddling on all fours for the nearest
bank.

It was manifestly impossible that the dog could have been the only
occupant of the boat, and besides Randy had heard a shrill cry just
before the collision. He was much relieved therefore when a head shot
above the water a few feet below the boat.

This belonged to the little man, and an instant later his fat companion
came to the surface. The latter had lost his hat, and the top of his
head was as white and shiny as a billiard ball.

The little man sounded for bottom, and not finding it, swam vigorously
for shore. The fat man tried the same experiment, and being a good head
and a half taller than his companion, obtained footing at a depth which
brought the water almost to his chin. Having thus strengthened his
position, he spat the water from his mouth and turned his head around to
see what occult power was responsible for his misfortune.

When he saw Randy quietly sitting in the canoe a few yards above his
face purpled with rage.

"You'll pay for this outrage," he stuttered hoarsely. "I'll beat you
black and blue when I get hold of you. I'll give you six months in the
county jail at hard labor, you brainless young ruffian--you audacious
wooden headed idiot, you--"

Just then the angry gentleman's string of epithets was cut short in a
summary manner, for the wet folds of the blanket sail, which had somehow
managed to drift around the corner of the boat, slapped him on the
mouth, and the unexpected shock caused him to lose his balance and slip
under water.

Such an opportunity was not to be neglected, and with quick, furious
strokes Randy paddled around the upturned boat and headed down stream,
bent on escaping the promised chastisement.

The fat man came up directly beneath the sail, and consequently had to
go under for a second attempt. This time he was all right, and the
moment his head was out of water and his feet planted on the bottom he
caught sight of Randy, who was just gliding by at a distance of half a