ring
both to land."

And this the plucky little fellow accomplished. He was becoming quite
expert in the use of the paddles, and, of course, as soon as he came to
the hedge-top, he was able to propel the bath along more quickly. He
fastened the tub and bath together, and then transferring himself to
the former, set to work to bring both to the bank. He found it a
difficult task, but he persevered, and in a short time was successful.
At last he leaped on dry land. With a triumphant shout, he attracted
the attention of Mansy and his sisters to his success, and then, after
firmly mooring his fleet--as he called the tub and the bath--he set off
quickly for the village.

Now, his way led him soon beside a tall hedge. And, as he was
hastening along, he became aware of voices on the other side. At first
he paid little attention, but then a word or two about the flood struck
his ear. "If I could see them," he said, "I would ask how it was
caused." But--what was one voice saying?

"If I told what I knew about your neglecting your duty, you would catch
it hot, I can tell you."

"But you won't tell, I'm sure," replied the other.

"I don't know so much about that."

"I didn't mean to," whined the other.

"Didn't mean to! Of course you didn't. Still you did it. And this
here ter'ble flood is the result. You was in drink, you know you was;
and you was careless, and didn't do your dooty. You ought to have
watched, and given the alarm, and the banks might have been mended, and
the flood saved."

Alfy heard every word distinctly. There was an opening in the hedge a
little farther on, and the voices seemed to be going towards it, even
as he was himself.

"Who'd have thought," said the second man apologetically, "that that
stout wall would have burst."

"You may be thankful it didn't burst the other side," answered the
first man, "and the water flooded Tarn'ick. It's bad enough as it is,
coming to the village; but it would have been very much worse then."

So this was the cause of the flood. The reservoir which supplied the
populous town of Tarnwick had burst, and its contents had poured down
towards the village. And had the village suffered at all? Alfy was
anxious to know. And how had the man neglected his duty, and caused
the flood?

The lad was now near the opening in the hedge, and he suddenly, but
distinctly, saw the two men whom he had heard talking. He did not
recognise either of them; but, at