omes singly. When they were once more back
in the boat, Harvey found that he had both tide and wind against him,
and the river had become very squally. The St. Johns is one of the
most treacherous rivers in the world. It takes only a very short time
for her waters to become white-capped.

Harvey pulled manfully on the oars, but it was very hard for him to
make any headway. Beth finally asked if she could not help to row.

"No, keep perfectly still where you are," he answered in such a short
manner that his little companion felt grieved. She tried to let him
know that she was hurt, by not saying another word, but he was too busy
to mind. By this time, he was worried.

"Supposing anything happened to us," he thought to himself, "Beth's
mother would never forgive me. It was my fault that Beth came."

He never knew exactly how it happened. Either the oar was defective,
or else he pulled too hard on it as it struck a large wave; whichever
it was, one of the oars snapped suddenly. For a moment or so the boat
rocked helplessly on the waves, and it was driven backwards towards the
shore from which they had just come.

"Harvey," asked Beth almost in a whisper, "are we going to be drowned?
Can't I ever tell mamma how sorry, how very sorry, I am?"

"I won't let you drown, Beth."

He spoke with more assurance than he really felt, but his manner
comforted her. He also proved that he was a born sailor. First, he
skilfully steered the boat with the remaining oar. Next, he picked up
from under one of the seats an old umbrella which chanced to be in the
boat, and used it for a sail. Thus they were quickly carried back to
shore not far from the scene of the fire.

Harvey once more helped Beth out, and made the boat fast. His plans
were already made.

"Beth, wait here for me. I'm going to hire one of the men to take us
back."

Beth had time, while he was gone, to consider all that had happened.
More than ever, she felt that it had been very wrong for her to come
without permission.

Harvey presently returned with a man who carried a pair of oars.

"He's going to row us across, Beth."

"Is it safe?"

The man smiled. "You needn't fear. I'm strong, and the squall has
about blown over."

He helped the children in, and jumped into the boat himself as he
pushed it from shore.

"How are you ever going to get back yourself?" asked Beth, as the man
took his place at the oars. She was fearful that Harvey would