ge in the water, which, from the sound, appeared to be not far
distant. They sprang to the bow, which was pointing down the river,--
the flood-tide was running strong up at the time. On reaching it they
heard a gurgling cry, not twenty yards ahead of the vessel.

"Hold on!" cried Bax to Bluenose, sharply, at the same time fastening
the end of a rope round his waist with the speed of thought, and
plunging over the side head-foremost. The cry and the plunge brought
Guy Foster on deck instantly. He found the Captain holding on with all
his might to the end of the rope, on which there seemed to be a
tremendous strain.

"Take a turn round that belayin' pin," gasped the Captain.

Guy obeyed, and the moment his companion was relieved, he shouted, "All
hands a-hoy!"

It was unnecessary. The four men who formed the crew of the "Nancy"
were already springing up the fore-hatch. There was bustle among the
shipping too. Lights danced about, the sound of oars was heard in
various directions, and sharp eager shouts, as of men who felt that life
was in danger, but knew not where to hasten in order to afford aid.

"Haul now, lads, with a will," cried the Captain; "so, steady, avast
heaving. Ah! that's a smart lad."

While the men were hauling on the rope, little Tommy had bounded over
the side into the boat, which he quickly brought close to the rope, and,
seizing it, guided his craft to the end to which Bax was fastened. He
found him buffeting the strong current stoutly, and supporting a head on
his shoulder in such a way that the mouth should not get below water.

"All right, Tommy," said Bax, quietly. "Don't get excited, my lad; lend
a hand to raise her a bit out o' the water. Now, can you hold her there
for one moment?"

"Yes, if you just give me the end of that shawl in my teeth,--so."

Tommy could say no more, for he was squeezed flat against the gunwale of
the boat, with his stout little arms tight round the neck and waist of a
female figure, the fingers of his left hand grasping her hair, and his
legs twisted in a remarkable manner round the thwart to keep him from
being dragged out of the boat, besides which his mouth was full of the
shawl.

Bax at once grasped the gunwale, and moved hand over hand to the stern,
where, by a powerful effort, he raised himself out of the water and
sprang inboard. A few minutes more sufficed to enable him to drag the
female (a young girl) into the boat, and place her in safe