Part 29 (1/2)

Blake occupied the platform with other members of the board, and at the proper time made a brief and rather curt speech.

”Everything seems to have turned out rather well,” Louise remarked in relief. ”Mr. Blake may not be such a bad sort after all.”

”Don't you believe it,” Penny returned. ”He's just clever enough never to put himself in a bad light if he can help it. I only hope Mrs. Van Cleve didn't give in to him and sign another cheque.”

Following the dedication exercises, a portion of the crowd dispersed, but many persons remained to enjoy picnic lunches. Penny and Louise ate their own sandwiches, and then watched the orphans at play.

”The new camp director seems very efficient,” Louise remarked, her gaze upon a young man who supervised the children.

Presently, as the girls watched, the camp supervisor announced that he would take several boys and girls for a sail on the river. The boat, a twelve-foot dinghy, had been the gift of a well-to-do Riverview department store owner.

Immediately there was a great clamor from the children, for everyone wanted to take the first ride.

”Only six may go,” the director said, and called off the names.

Penny and Louise wandered down to the water's edge to watch the loading of the boat. Adelle had been one of the orphans chosen, and they waved rea.s.suringly to her.

The camp director shoved off, and quickly raised the sail. There were squeals of delight from the children as it filled, causing the craft to heel over slightly.

”The breeze is quite uncertain today,” Penny remarked anxiously. ”I hope that young man knows what he is about.”

The boat sailed a diagonal course across the river, turned, and came back on another tack. Then as the breeze died, it seemed to make no progress at all. Losing interest, Penny and Louise started to walk on down the sh.o.r.e.

Scarcely had they turned away than they were startled to hear screams from the river. Whirling around, they saw that the camp director was in serious trouble. A sudden puff of wind had caught the boat when it did not have steerage way. Unable to drive ahead, it slowly tilted sideways.

”It's going over!” Louise screamed.

Already Penny had kicked off her shoes. Without waiting for the inevitable result, she plunged into the river. When her head emerged from the water, she saw the boat on its side. Two children were clinging to it, the camp director was frantically trying to support two others, while another girl and boy struggled wildly to keep from sinking.

Swimming as rapidly as she could, Penny reached the overturned boat. Her first act was to help the camp director who was being strangled by the two children who clung to him. Drawing the trio to the craft, she then seized a struggling boy by the hair, and pulled him to safety.

”Adelle!” the camp director gasped. ”Get her!”

The little girl had been carried a considerable distance from the boat.

Penny started to swim toward her, but she saw that it would not be necessary. From the forest close by had emerged an unshaven man in rough, soiled clothing. Diving into the water, he seized Adelle, and swam with her to sh.o.r.e.

Penny did not return to the overturned boat for several men had waded out to tow it to land. Concerned regarding Adelle, she followed the child's rescuer.

The man bore the orphan in his arms to a gra.s.sy spot on sh.o.r.e. Stretching her out there, he hesitated an instant, and then before the crowd could surround him, darted quickly away toward the woods.

”Wait!” Penny shouted, wading through the shallow water.

The man heard, but paid no heed. He entered the forest and was lost to view.

”That was Clem Davis!” Penny thought tensely. ”I'm sure of it!”

Before she could reach Adelle, other persons had gathered around the child. Clyde Blake pushed through the crowd.

”What is this?” he inquired. ”What has happened?”