"Good enough!" chuckled Dick. "Keep on at his arms until he can
talk a whole lot more."

"But isn't it cruel?" asked a girl.

"No," rejoined Tom Reade, turning to her. "Did you ever bring
a drowning man to?"

"Never, of course."

"Then let our Dick have his way. He generally knows what he's
about. No rudeness intended you understand," Reade added, smiling.

"This lad's all right, now," declared Hiram Driggs. "Help him
to his feet and walk him about a bit until he gets the whole trick
of breathing again. Dalzell, didn't you know any better than
to try to swallow the whole river and ruin my business?"

A faint grin parted Dan's lips.

"Oh, I'm so thankful," sighed Laura Bentley. "Dick, I was afraid
there would be but five of you left when I saw Dan being hoisted
aboard!"

Soon Dalzell was able to laugh nervously. Then a scowl darkened
his face.

"I'm the prize idiot of Gridley!" he muttered faintly.