al times one or another got up, to go to the doorway and
listen, thinking he had heard a call from Phil. But the calls were
only imaginary, and morning dawned without a sign of the missing one.

It was still raining, but not so hard as before, and by eight o'clock
the clouds broke away and the sun commenced to shine. All had an early
breakfast, from the stores brought along, and then the party hurried
down to the river.

That the dam above Camptown Falls had broken was plainly evident on
all sides. During the night the river had risen seven or eight feet,
bearing on its bosom many trees and bushes, with here and there the
remains of camps that had been located on low ground. Moosetail Island
had been swept from end to end, only the higher spots escaping the
flood. The waters were now going down, the rush from the broken dam
having spent itself.

The boys gave scant heed to the destruction effected by the rain and
the broken dam. All their thoughts were centered on Phil. What had
become of their chum? Was he dead or alive?

"I wonder if it wouldn't be best to get over to the island and look
around?" suggested Dave. "Most likely he went there--thinking you
would be at the cabin."

"But how are we to get to the island?" asked Buster. He had no desire
to fall into the turbulent stream again.

"Oh, the water is going down rapidly, Buster. I think we can make it
by noon."

All walked up and down the river bank, looking in vain for some trace
of the shipowner's son. Once they met some people from another camp
and asked about Phil. But these folks shook their heads.

"Didn't see a soul," said one of the men.

Jerry Blutt had been looking the situation over carefully, and he said
he thought they could get to the island by going up the river a
distance.

"Then the current will help us along, and we won't have to fight so
hard," said the camp-worker. He did not like the idea of crossing the
water, but did not wish to desert the boys.

On the trip they carried the rope, with Jerry at the head and Dave at
the rear. All took tight hold, so that if one slipped the others might
pull him up.

"Now, take it easy," cautioned the camp man. "This water is runnin'
putty swift, even yet."

He had mapped out a course with his eye, and proceeded slowly and
cautiously. Once away from the shore, they felt the full force of the
onrushing waters and were all but swept from their feet. It was well
that they were a good distance abo