as imitating the
action of the sails.

"Hoi! come down from there," bawled the big, bluff fellow, as he came
within hearing. "'Tain't safe! I made all my people clear out last
night, and 'spected to see it gone by mornin'. Oh, it's you, Mister
Brigley. Looking for your young gent?"

"Yes! Seen him?" cried Jerry wildly.

"Ay, bit ago, when I were down before. He'd come down to see if the
mill was safe, I s'pose."

"But--it was--our young gent?"

"I say, don't look so scared," cried the miller, good-humouredly. "I
didn't mean to frighten you; but I shouldn't be a bit surprised if the
old place comes toppling down; and it will, if the water rises much
more. You're safe enough here."

"But, tell me," panted Jerry, who did not want telling, "it was our
young gent?"

"Ay, him as come fishing with the others, and sat out on the weir
yonder, tootling on that little pipe of his? Here! what's the matter
with you, man?"

"A boat! a boat!" gasped Jerry.

"A boat! what for? Mine's got a plank out of it, and, if it hadn't, you
couldn't use it now."

"But he's gone down! I see him jump in!"

"What!" yelled the miller, seizing Jerry excitedly by the collar.
"Nonsense! He's gone back by now."

"I--I was on the bridge."

"There ain't no bridge!" growled the miller: "swep' away."

"But I was over yonder--saw him jump in."

"You did?"

"Yes, and came here fast as I could."

The miller turned to look down the rushing river, and took off his white
felt hat, drew out a red cotton handkerchief, and began to mop his wet
brow.

"Then Heaven have mercy on him, poor lad! for he'll never get to shore
alive."

"But he could swim," said Jerry, feebly.

"Swim? Who's to swim in water like that? Never! I saw a whole drove
of sheep go down this morning, and a half a dozen bullocks. The river's
too much for them as can swim."

"But--but--"

"But--but, man. Ah! what was he doing to jump in?"

"Haven't you heard?" groaned Jerry, speaking to the miller, and staring
wildly down stream the while. "He got into dreadful trouble yesterday.
Killed his cousin!"

"What?"

"Come down here to end hisself, I s'pose!"

"Then he's done it, poor lad!" said the miller, solemnly.

"But couldn't we do nothing? Couldn't we try and help him?" whined
Jerry, piteously.

"No, my lad, not with the water rooshing down like this; it's beyond
human work, and--Hi! run--run!"

He caught at Jerry again, and the two men starte