came faintly from Dick. He was dazed and weak, and could hardly
see in what direction the shore really was.

"Keep up, boy, and we'll save you!" shouted Pawnee Brown encouragingly.

Reaching a spot twenty or thirty feet below where Dick was drifting, he
threw off his hat and coat and leaped into the stream.

Down he went over his head, to come up a second later and strike out
powerfully for the youth. The cold water chilled him, but to this he
paid no attention. He had taken a fancy to Dick, and was resolved to
save the boy at any cost.

Nearer and nearer he came. It was a tough struggle, for in the bend of
the swollen stream the water boiled and foamed upon all sides. He was
yet ten feet away from Dick, when he saw the youth sink beneath the
surface.

"Gone!" he thought, and made a leap and a dive. His outstretched hand
came in contact with Dick's left arm, and he dragged his burden upward.

"Keep cool, Dick," he said when he could speak. "Can't you swim?"

"Yes, but not extra well," panted the half-drowned lad. "I struck my
head upon something."

"Then lay hold of my shoulder and I'll keep you up. Steady, now, or the
current will send us around like two tops."

No more was said, as both felt they must save their breath. With Dick
clinging loosely, so as not to hinder his swimming, Pawnee Brown struck
out for the shore.

It was perilous work, for other trees and obstructions were upon every
hand, and more than once both were torn and scratched as they sped by in
what was little short of a whirlpool.

"Catch the rope!" suddenly came from Clemmer, and a noose whizzed in the
air and fell close beside the pair. Both Pawnee Brown and Dick did as
requested, and the cowboy boomer began to haul in with all the strength
at his command. It was hard work, but Clemmer was equal to it, and
presently those in the water came close enough to gain a footing, and
then the peril was over.

Dick's story was soon told, to which the great scout added that of his
own.

"I shall not attempt to follow up Stillwater," Pawnee Brown concluded.
"It is high time I got back to camp, for let me tell you, privately, we
move westward to-day. You may continue the hunt for your father or come
with me, just as you choose. It is possible you may find some trace of
him around here, but it is doubtful to me, after such a storm. It's hard
lines, boy, but cheer up; things may not be as bad as you imagine," and
he laid a dripping but affectiona