by threw the stick into the pond. Nine times
Rover brought it back.

When they had done that long enough, Rover shook himself to get the
water out of his coat, and lay down on the bank to dry.

Bobby spied an old raft, lying at one edge of the pond, under the willow
tree. "I'll play on the raft," he thought.

It was only a few days since Mother had said, "Never go on the raft,
Bobby, unless Father or John is at the pond with you."

"Oh, pshaw!" thought Bobby. "There is no danger; I'll have a little
fun."

For some time he was content to keep near the shore, just pushing the
raft around a little with a long pole. Then, growing bolder, he thought,
"I'll go clear across the pond. Mother will never find it out."

So across the pond he started. Near the middle the water was deeper, so
he had to go to the edge of the raft and lean over to make his pole
touch bottom.

A little farther, and a little farther, he leaned. The raft began to tip
and the first thing Bobby knew, he went head first into the water.

Down he went, to the bottom of the pond.

When he came up, he was lucky enough to be near the raft, and he grabbed
the edge of it.

"Help! help!" he shouted. He tried to climb up on the raft but could not
do it.

No one heard him shout, except the ducks that were swimming not far off.
They said, "Quack, quack, quack!" but they could not help him.

Rover, over on the bank, was dozing in the sun. The first time Bobby
called, Rover wiggled his ears but went on dozing.

Bobby shouted again, "Help! help!"

Rover heard this time and stood up and looked out over the water.

He saw Bobby clinging to the raft. Into the water he jumped and swam as
fast as he could.

When he came near, Bobby said, "Oh, Rover, can't you help me out?" He
took hold of Rover's collar with his right hand but still clung to the
raft with his left hand.

Rover tried to swim toward the shore but the raft was so heavy he could
not go very fast. So Bobby let go of the raft and then Rover could pull
him along.

Bobby clung to Rover's collar until they reached shallow water.

"I'm glad you were near, Rover," he said, when they were on dry ground.

[Illustration: "Bobby clung to Rover's collar until they reached shallow
water"]

Bobby did not want to go to the house and tell Mother what had happened,
but there was no other way.

So Bobby, all wet and drippy, and Rover, all wet and drippy, went to the
house together.

"Why Bobby Hill,