here was a hearty cheer at this, and the jocose weaver shouted--

"Now, them's the words I like. We'd have stopped till the old dam
burst, but speaking for self and family, ah'd say I'd reather not."

There was another good-humoured roar at this, but it was mingled with a
sigh of relief, and a swift walk was soon hastened into a run, till all
were gathered in a fairly safe position above the mill, where they
paused to breathe.

Willows and his friends came last, the former standing smiling to see
the stack of household treasures Will and his helpmates had piled up.

"Well done, my lads!" he cried. "We've come to help you now."

"Have you saved the dam, father?" cried Will, excitedly.

There was a look of resignation on the father's face, as he gazed in his
son's eyes and slowly shook his head.

"Ahoy, there! Drinkwater! Ahoy! What are you hinging back there for?"
shouted the north-country man. "More wuck to do. Come on and help."

All eyes were directed now to a solitary figure standing on the top of
the great stone wall as if inspecting the damaged spot.

"What's he stopping there for?" cried the Vicar, excitedly.

"Why, Drinkwater, my lad," shouted Willows, between his hands, "you
can't stay there. Come over to us here. Quick, man! Quick!"

The old fellow turned and shaded his eyes again, gazing fiercely at the
speaker, and, as he lowered his hand and came slowly towards them, Will
noticed that across his white brow there was a broad mark of blood.

"Father, look," he whispered, hoarsely; "what does that mean?"

"A mark from his hands, my boy. He must have worn them raw. Poor
fellow! He has been like a hero in this strife."

The man came down, still slowly, and then ascended to where the group
were awaiting further orders; but when these orders came, and with a
rush the workers formed a line from the mill up to a shelf-like path
where by no possibility could the pent-up water rise if the dam gave
way, and began handing up rapidly bale after bale of finished silk, and
mighty skeins of twisted thread, he did not stir a hand, but stood with
the stain upon his brow, leaning against a corner of the mill,
apparently exhausted, and never once taking his eyes from his master.

For a full hour the men worked on, cheering loudly as the announcement
was made that the wareroom was empty; and then a rush was made for the
Mill House, where in turn all that was portable and good was borne away.
Then came