and
friend being rapidly swept-down the stream, while the waters were
surging higher and higher about his breast, for the depression was being
filled rapidly by the undammed stream.

"To be alone like this!" groaned Will. "Why didn't I swim with them and
try to help?"

He spoke aloud, his words sounding like a long-drawn moan; and then he
started, for an echo seemed to come from close at hand, heard plainly
above the rushing of the stream. His next thought was that it was
fancy, but, as the idea flitted through his brain in silence, there was
the moan again from somewhere at the back.

It was the faint cry of someone in grievous peril, and it drove out self
from the generous boy's breast. Someone wanted help, and he was strong
and hearty still. It took but little time to find out whence the
deep-toned moaning came. It was from out of a jagged mass of broken
timbers, whose ends were anchored among the stones, and through them the
rising waters were rushing fast.

It was like turning from a great peril into dangers greater far, but the
boy never thought of that. He measured the distance with his eyes, and
came to the conclusion that he could pass hand by hand through the
waters, among the roots, till he was straight above the swaying timbers.
To swim would be impossible, he knew; but he felt that he could let
himself go, be carried those few yards, catch at one or other of the
timbers, and hold on there.

As he finished thinking, he drew a deep breath, felt stronger than ever,
and began to act.

Reaching out with his right hand, he got a grip of the nearest root, let
go with his left, and in an instant, he felt as if the water had seized
him, and was trying to tear his right arm out of the socket. The jerk
was numbing, but he got a grip with his left hand, and tried again and
again, till he lay on his back, his arms outstretched above his head,
his feet pointing straight at the chaos of timbers, took another deep
breath, and then let go.

There was a quick, gliding motion, and his feet struck against one big
beam, slipped right over it, and the next minute he was in the very
centre of the tangle, while his progress was checked for a sufficiently
long time for him to get a good hold, and feel that for the time being
he was safe. His breath was coming and going fast, though, from the
excitement as well as exertion. And then it was almost in horror that
his heart seemed to stand still. It was a momentary s