said, in a hollow, or depression of the
ground, and the flood, Alfy could see distinctly, came from some way
behind the house, and flowed round and past it; but whence it came, or
whither it went, he could not discover.

"It can't come from the river," he said thoughtfully, "for that is in a
different direction. I cannot imagine what causes it."

Sundry things he noticed were floating on its surface.

Here was a quantity of hay, sailing slowly and solidly along in a
fairly compact mass; farther on a little yellow straw flashed in the
sunshine; not far off again pieces of wood floated; and then, curiously
enough, a little tin hand-bowl bobbing about quite pertly, as it was
borne along. That tin bowl gave him an idea.

"I know!" he cried; "I will ask Mansy and Edie to send off the old tin
bath to me from the house."

Thereupon he shouted loudly to attract their attention.

At first they did not answer, and he could hear various sounds,
indicating that Mansy was endeavouring to repair some of the mischief
done by the flood. "They are busy," he said, and again he cried,
louder this time than before.

His shouts attracted Edie's attention, and she hastened to the window,
where her exclamation of surprise soon brought the others. "Bless the
boy!" exclaimed Mansy, "however did he get there? Where's the tub?"

"Can you send me the old bath?" he cried.

The girls disappeared hastily from the window, and Mansy cried again:
"You are never going to get into that bath, Master Alfy, sure_ly_!"

"Oh! I can manage it," he replied briskly, "if you can send it down to
the tree. Tell them to put a pole or something in it, dear Mansy, for
me to paddle it with."

"You must be quick, Alfy, and get us some provisions," urged Mansy, "or
I don't know what we shall do. We shall get starved!"

Alfy laughed in the gaiety of his heart. He was a merry, cheerful,
plucky little lad, who could not talk religion, but strove to act it.
Nelson's grand words, "England expects every man to do his duty," was
his motto, unexpressed though it was.

"Never fear, Mansy," he cried, "I'll be back in good time. You shall
have plenty to cook and eat to-day!"

Then Mansy disappeared from the window, and Alfy soon heard sounds, as
though the bath were being brought along. It was a somewhat
high-backed sitz bath, which had seen some service in the family.

Splash!

Over it went from the window, and of course it fell bottom-upwards!

"Ah-