off himself, grabbed Mun Bun.

Luckily the water was not deep--hardly over Mun Bun's head--and his
father soon lifted the little fellow up out of danger.

"There!" cried Daddy Bunker, laughing to show Mun Bun that there was no
more danger. "Now the crab can't get you!"

Mun Bun looked around to make sure, and then, seeing that he was sitting
on the pier, where his father had placed him, he looked around again.

"Did you--did you get the crab?" he asked, his voice was a little choky.

"No, indeed I didn't!" laughed Mr. Bunker. "I was only trying to get
you. I told you to be careful and not lean too far over."

"Well, I--I wanted to see my crab!"

"And the crab came near getting you. Well, it can't be helped now. You
are soaking wet. I'll take you up to the bungalow and your mother can
put dry clothes on you. Come along."

"But I want to get my crab, Daddy!"

"Oh, he's gone, Mun Bun. No crab _would_ stay near the pier after all
the splashing I made when I jumped in to get you out."

"Maybe he's on my string yet," insisted the little fellow. "I tied my
string to the pier. Please, Daddy, pull it up and see if it has a crab
on it."