"The water is terribly high, and Jerry thinks we had better move to
the shore. He says we might be drowned if that dam should break."

"Don't you think we ought to find Phil first?"

"Sure--if we can. Maybe he went back, when he found out how the water
was rising," went on the stout youth, hopefully.

"I don't think he'd desert us," answered Ben. "That isn't Phil's
style."

"You're right, Ben," said Dave.

All splashed around in the water for several minutes, but without
making any discovery of importance. The river was now rising more
rapidly than ever, and the camp-worker showed increased nervousness.

"Ain't no two ways about it--the dam's bust!" he cried, at last. "I'm
goin' to git out, an' I advise all o' you to do the same. If you want
me to carry anything to shore I'll do it."

"We can't carry any trunks in such a hurry," said Buster.

"Let us carry our suit-cases and bundles," said Ben.

With heavy hearts, Dave and the others returned to the cabin. The
water in the cove had now risen so high that it swept the edge of the
lean-to.

"Can we get to shore?" asked Buster. "We haven't any boat," he added,
turning to Dave.

"We can if you'll hurry," replied Jerry Blutt. "Every minit lost makes
it jest so much more dangerous."

In great haste Ben and Buster and the camp-worker gathered together
such belongings as they could conveniently carry. The other things
were placed in a trunk and hoisted by ropes into a big tree. Then a
lantern was tied on a post in front of the cabin and to it was
fastened a brief note, for Phil's benefit, stating they had gone to
the shore.

"Oh, I hope he is safe!" murmured Dave, anxiously.

"So do I," added his chums.

Jerry Blutt led the way along the shore of the island and then out
into the stream. They had the second camp lantern with them, one
belonging to Jerry. He led the way from rock to rock, and they
followed in single file, Dave bringing up the rear. Ever and anon our
hero looked back for some sign of Phil, but without avail.

Once out in the river, all were certain that the dam above Camptown
Falls had burst. The water ran with great rapidity and was filled with
dirt and debris of various kinds. On the rocks that were low they had
all they could do to keep their footing.

The most dangerous part of the river had yet to be passed--a section
close to the shore, where the water was deep and the rocks for fording
few.

"Mind your footin' here!" sang out the ca