Part 44 (1/2)

”If he was, wouldn't it be terrible?”

”Yes.”

A cry came from behind them, and Buster appeared, followed by Jerry Blutt.

”Where is Phil?” demanded the stout youth.

”We don't know.”

”The water is terribly high, and Jerry thinks we had better move to the sh.o.r.e. He says we might be drowned if that dam should break.”

”Don't you think we ought to find Phil first?”

”Sure--if we can. Maybe he went back, when he found out how the water was rising,” went on the stout youth, hopefully.

”I don't think he'd desert us,” answered Ben. ”That isn't Phil's style.”

”You're right, Ben,” said Dave.

All splashed around in the water for several minutes, but without making any discovery of importance. The river was now rising more rapidly than ever, and the camp-worker showed increased nervousness.

”Ain't no two ways about it--the dam's bust!” he cried, at last. ”I'm goin' to git out, an' I advise all o' you to do the same. If you want me to carry anything to sh.o.r.e I'll do it.”

”We can't carry any trunks in such a hurry,” said Buster.

”Let us carry our suit-cases and bundles,” said Ben.

With heavy hearts, Dave and the others returned to the cabin. The water in the cove had now risen so high that it swept the edge of the lean-to.

”Can we get to sh.o.r.e?” asked Buster. ”We haven't any boat,” he added, turning to Dave.

”We can if you'll hurry,” replied Jerry Blutt. ”Every minit lost makes it jest so much more dangerous.”

In great haste Ben and Buster and the camp-worker gathered together such belongings as they could conveniently carry. The other things were placed in a trunk and hoisted by ropes into a big tree. Then a lantern was tied on a post in front of the cabin and to it was fastened a brief note, for Phil's benefit, stating they had gone to the sh.o.r.e.

”Oh, I hope he is safe!” murmured Dave, anxiously.

”So do I,” added his chums.

Jerry Blutt led the way along the sh.o.r.e of the island and then out into the stream. They had the second camp lantern with them, one belonging to Jerry. He led the way from rock to rock, and they followed in single file, Dave bringing up the rear. Ever and anon our hero looked back for some sign of Phil, but without avail.

Once out in the river, all were certain that the dam above Camptown Falls had burst. The water ran with great rapidity and was filled with dirt and debris of various kinds. On the rocks that were low they had all they could do to keep their footing.

The most dangerous part of the river had yet to be pa.s.sed--a section close to the sh.o.r.e, where the water was deep and the rocks for fording few.

”Mind your footin' here!” sang out the camp-worker. ”An' if you slip, look out thet you don't hurt yourselves!”

He was splas.h.i.+ng along in water up to his knees, sometimes on the rocks and then again on a sandbar running in that direction. Then he had to make a turn, to avoid a deep portion of the stream, where the current was rapid.