Part 2 (1/2)
The Cut.w.a.ter was a large sloop owned by one of the gentlemen living in Lakeview. As she came past, those in the row-boat noticed several young ladies on board, who were sailing the boat under directions of a young man named Clarence Conant.
Clarence had but little idea how a boat should be managed, and as the sloop went by Harry's face grew troubled.
”Jerry, what do you think of that?”
Jerry stopped rowing for a moment to look at the sloop.
”A good lot of sail up, especially if it should blow up stronger,” he said.
”Just what I think.”
”That Clarence Conant don't know nuffin' about sailing,” snorted Blumpo Brown. ”The ladies better beware how they go out with him.”
”I agree with you, Blumpo,” said Jerry, gravely.
The sloop now disappeared from sight around a turn in the lake at which several islands were situated.
A few minutes later the row-boat drew up to a small dock at the end of a well-kept garden.
This was Mrs. Fleming's place, where Harry intended to stop on an errand for his mother and father.
He sprang on the dock and hurried toward the house, saying he would not be gone more than five minutes.
The two boys waited for him to return, and during the interval Jerry caught sight of the Cut.w.a.ter up the lake and watched her progress with interest. The wind was getting stronger and the sloop carried more sail than was good for her. Soon she again disappeared, and Jerry turned toward the house, wondering what kept Harry so long.
”Must have been invited to lunch,” was Blumpo's comment. ”Pity he didn't ask us in, too.”
”No, he wouldn't stay and leave us here,” replied Jerry, ”Most likely--hullo!”
Jerry sprang up in the row-boat in amazement. Down the garden path leading from the front of the house to the dock came a beautiful black horse on a gallop. On the animal's back sat a little girl not more than eight years of age. The horse was running away with her, and she was clingling tightly to his mane.
”Oh, John, stop him!” she screamed.
”Whoa, Banker, whoa!” shouted a man who came running after the animal.
But the horse, a nervous creature, was frightened over something and would not stop.
He clattered on the dock, and the next instant went over into the lake with a loud splash, carrying the little girl with him.
CHAPTER III.
JERRY'S BRAVERY.
Blumpo was so scared by the accident that he uttered a short yell.
”Fo' the lan' sake,” he moaned, in a shaking voice.
The horse disappeared from sight for a brief s.p.a.ce of time and then came up and began to churn the water madly in an endeavor to save himself from drowning.