Part 45 (1/2)

”Well, I couldn't stand there and see you drown, Buster,” answered our hero. ”I had to do something.”

”Where are the others?”

”Up the stream--unless they went overboard, too.”

”Then I suppose we ought to walk that way.”

”We will--after we get our breath and you feel strong enough.”

”Maybe you can call to them?”

”I'll try.”

Dave yelled at the top of his voice, not once but several times.

Presently an answering hail arose from a distance, and then Ben came running up, followed by Jerry.

”Dave! Buster! Are you safe?”

”Yes,” answered both.

”Oh, I am so glad! We were afraid you were both drowned! How did it happen?”

The two told their story, and then the others told how they had thrown out the rope and had seen Dave disappear in the darkness after Buster.

”I would have jumped in, too, but I didn't see how I could do any good,” went on Ben. ”Jerry said we had better come ash.o.r.e and look for you down here. So we did that. My! but it's a fearful flood, isn't it!”

”Yes. I wish we knew where Phil was,” and Dave heaved a deep sigh. Had their chum lost his life in that rapidly-rising river?

”Ain't no ust to stay here--gitting wetter an' wetter,” said the camp-worker, after a pause. ”Besides, if that flood gits wuss it is bound to come up here. We better git further back--up the hill.”

”Is there any shelter around here? I mean on high ground?” asked Dave.

”Yes, I know of a cabin up on the hill,” answered Buster. ”I don't know if I can find it in the rain and darkness, but I can try.”

He walked along, through the trees, until he reached a footpath running up from the sh.o.r.e. They followed the path for about a hundred yards, and then came in sight of a long, low, rambling cabin, the home in years gone by of some lumbermen. It was in a dilapidated state, with doors and windows gone, but it would provide a roof over their heads, and that was something.

Entering, the lantern was hung on a nail, and they looked around them.

There was a fireplace, with some dry sticks handy, and soon they had a fire started, which added much to the comfort of the surroundings.

They hung up the majority of their wet garments and sat close to the blaze, drying themselves.

”If I only knew where to look for Phil, I'd go after him,” said Dave.

”But to look for him in the darkness is like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack.”

”We'll have to go out first thing in the morning,” returned Ben.

”Yes, as soon as we can see,” added Buster.

The boys who had run away were anxious to learn what Dave had to say about affairs at Oakdale, and in a low voice, while the camp-worker was preparing hot coffee and something to eat, he related what had happened since their departure.