h.

Luckily Thad discovered it immediately. The "paddles" were crude
affairs chopped out of boards by some of the boys who used the boat
while swimming; but all the same they answered a purpose.

With a rush the old boat was pushed down the sloping sandy shore and
into the mill-pond. Hugh and Thad sprang aboard and each snatching up
a paddle, they commenced to urge the unwieldy craft along as best they
might.

As they worked, they could see what was going on ahead of them. The
little chap evidently had considerable pluck about him, for he was
making a really gallant fight for his life, trying to cling to the
board, which was wobbling about in the water at a great rate. Twice
his frantic hold seemed lost, but on each occasion he managed to regain
it. Nature urges every human being or animal to struggle to the utmost
when threatened with death by drowning. Some boys have even discovered
that they could swim when they had to, or go down; though it is a risky
experiment which should never be resorted to.

Hugh's heart seemed to be almost in his throat as he watched the
struggles of the poor little chap. Black or white, it made not the
least difference to him just then; that child's life was as precious in
his mother's sight as if he were the pink and white darling of a
wealthy family.

Nearer they came to the scene. Oh! if only he might manage somehow to
retain his grip just twenty seconds longer, they would be on hand, and
ready to drag him over the side of the old boat to safety. Hugh, deep
down in his heart prayed that it might be so. He also figured how he
would plunge overboard at the last second, if necessary, and dive after
the sinking child, for he must be saved.

They both worked as never before in their lives. Possibly that old
boat swept through the water of the mill-pond at a faster rate than it
had ever indulged in, even with twice the number of paddlers aboard. A
precious human life was at stake, and this fact brought out every atom
of energy those two gallant lads could summon to the fore.

Fortune was kind, and the plucky little colored boy continued to show
wonderful tenacity of purpose; for he managed to retain his slipping
grip on the turning plank until Hugh could bend over and take a grip of
his kinky wool. It may not have been the most pleasant way to effect a
rescue, but there was no time for being particular.

While he thus held the child above water, Thad bent down and got hold