to swing loose from the side which
connected with the permanent portion on the Eastport end and moved toward
the solid foundation which was built directly in front of where the Nelson
dooryard ran down to the water's edge.

It was hard work to move the bridge around, but Ralph was used to it, and
he did not mind. As he walked around with the bar before him he kept his
eyes on the sloop and the man sailing her.

The bridge was three-quarters open when the boy noted with some surprise
that the man on the sloop had thrown over the mainsail half against the
wind. Instantly the sloop began to swing around, heading full for the stone
pier upon which the bridge swung.

"Why, what's the matter with him?" he cried, in dismay.

"Guess he don't know how to manage his boat," replied Bob Sanderson. "He's
comin' chuck-a-block for this place!"

"Hi! hi! what are you up to?" cried Ralph, as he dropped the bar, and
rushed over to the side of the bridge. "Do you want to run into the
stonework?"

"I can't manage the sail!" replied the man on the sloop. "My arm is lame,
and the ropes are all twisted."

"Well, throw your tiller over, and be quick, or----"

Ralph had not time to say more, nor was the man able to profit by his
advice. An extra heavy puff of wind caught the mainsail of the boat, and
with a loud crash she clashed into the stone pier, bow first.

The shock was so great that the bowsprit was smashed to pieces, as was also
the woodwork around it. The man, who had been standing partly on the stern
sheets, was thrown overboard by the accident, and he disappeared beneath
the water.

Fearful that the fellow, who was evidently a city person, might not be able
to swim, Ralph leaped down from the bridge into the sloop and went to his
assistance.

"Save me! save me!" called out the man, frantically, and he threw his hands
up over his head.

"Catch hold of the boathook," replied Ralph, and he reached out with the
article as he spoke.

The man grasped the curved iron nervously, and Ralph at once drew him to
the side of the sloop.

"Now give me your hand and I will help you up."

And without waiting he caught the man by the right arm.

"Don't! don't! Take the other arm, please! That was broken less than six
weeks ago."

"Oh, then give me the left," replied Ralph; and by his aid the man was soon
aboard the sloop once more.

He was a fellow not over twenty-five years of age, and his clothing and
general appearance indi