p watch on every
patch of reeds and every little inlet. In the first mile there was
nothing to reward the searchers--not the slightest trace of the missing
canoe or its occupant.

Then the channel made a sharp curve, and when they paddled around it
they saw, nearly half a mile above, a gray, weather worn mill, standing
in a grove of willows on the right hand shore. The dam was visible a
hundred yards or so beyond, and the sunlight was dancing on the foaming
torrent that poured through the break.

CHAPTER VI

THE LOST FOUND

Without lessening their vigilance the boys paddled on against the
increasing current. When the mill was very near Ned signaled the others
to join him.

They quickly crossed to the right shore, and the three canoes were run
into a quiet little nook close to the swirling mouth of the race. The
mill was twenty yards above, and a little to the right of it a cozy
frame house, overgrown with trailing vines, peeped above the willow
trees.

"I thought we had better stop here on account of the swift water," said
Ned. "We will go up to the dam on foot, and take a look at the deep
holes under the breastwork."

Before Clay or Randy could reply a man came briskly through the
trees--the miller beyond a doubt, for his clothes and hat were white
with flour. He greeted the boys with a smile and a cherry nod.

"I guess you're the chaps I was just starting out to find," he said.
"T'other young chap was getting anxious about you, and not much wonder.
He feared you were all drowned, and I guess you thought the same about
him. It was lucky I run across him this morning. You see I went down to
the creek at daybreak to look for a stray cow, and when--"

"Did you find a boy called Nugget?" interrupted Ned in great excitement.

"And a green and white canoe called the Imp?" shouted Randy, as he
tossed his cap into the air.

"That's about the way of it," responded the miller. "But come up to the
house and see for yourselves. You look as if you were nearly starved."

The boys needed no second invitation. With eager steps and light hearts
they followed their guide through the trees, and across the little
garden to the rear of the house.

The miller threw open the door, and they rushed in with cries of
delight. There sat Nugget at the kitchen table, making a fierce
onslaught on ham and fried potatoes. He was rigged out in a suit of
clothes three times too big for him, and his brown uniform was drying
befo