't knock any stones on us!" came back from Stanley. He and Spud
had braced themselves on the sides of the old well, with the water up
to their waists.

"We'll be as careful as we can," answered Songbird.

"Look out for dirt in your eyes," added Tom. All the fun had died out
of him and his face was full of concern.

Slowly and cautiously the three boys lowered the sapling into the old
well hole. In doing this they had to stand close to the edge, and once
they sent down a shower of loose dirt that caused a wild cry of alarm
from below.

"Go slow!" cried Spud, presently. "I've got it," he added, a second
later. "Let her come," and then the sapling was lowered until the
roots rested on the bottom of the hole. The top was now several feet
below the top of the old well.

"The old chain--just the thing!" cried Sam, and took it up.

"You had better come up close together," suggested Songbird, peering
down at those below. "Then, if the well caves in, you'll be up that
far anyway."

This was thought good advice and Stanley and Spud determined to act on
it. Stanley came first with Spud at his heels. The many small
branches of the sapling afforded good holds, and as each of the youths
was something of an athlete, both of them came up with comparative ease.

"Can't get any higher," remarked Stanley, when within two feet of the
top of the sapling. "It's almost ready to break now."

"Catch hold of the chain!" cried Sam. "I'll hold it. Tom and
Songbird, you hold me, so I don't fall in."

Sam had the chain twisted around his right hand and he leaned far over
into the well hole, his brother and Songbird holding him by his free
arm. The loose end of the chain dangled close to Stanley and he
grasped hold. Then came a short, hard pull, and Stanley came sprawling
out on the grass. Then Spud crawled up a little higher and he was
hauled out the same way.

Both boys were wet to the skin and covered with mud, presenting
anything but an enviable appearance. For several seconds they sat on
the grass, panting for breath.

"Phew! that was a close shave!" gasped Spud, presently. "I'm mightily
glad the old well didn't cave in on us!"

"We went down head first," came from Stanley. "If it hadn't been for
the water we would have smashed our skulls!"

"And the water came close to drowning us," added Spud; "And say, it was
some cold, believe me," and he shivered.

"You'd better race around in the sun a bit, or you'll ta