Carryl, as I signed it
two years ago, when I sent it to the Gilead _Gleaner_. Oh, what a
flutter I was in then! and I never dared to let a soul know it! The
editor of the _Beacon_ made me write a foot-note, telling all about it."

"I'm an awful jackass," said Amasa, his voice gruff with joy and shame.

"You're the dearest boy in the world," said Lizette. "But I don't want
you to associate with Cosy Pringle."

SEA RANGERS.

BY KIRK MUNROE,

AUTHOR OF "ROAD RANGERS," THE "MATE" SERIES, "SNOW-SHOES AND SLEDGES,"
ETC.

CHAPTER V.

OVERBOARD GO THE RANGERS.

"Great Scott! Cal's overboard!" cried Will Rogers, as he caught a
twinkling glimpse of a pair of rubber-boots disappearing over the
sloop's bow. With the young Captain of the Rangers to think was also to
act. Thus, even as he spoke he tore off his jacket, sprang to the
vessel's side, and dove into the shining waters. He knew that Cal could
swim a little, under ordinary circumstances, but he dreaded the dragging
weight of those rubber boots, and also feared that the boy might be
struck and injured by the vessel as she passed over him.

Apparently every other Ranger on board thought the same thoughts, and
was actuated by the belief that it was his duty to rescue Cal Moody;
for, even as Will Rogers sprang overboard, all of them but one followed
him like a flock of sheep, and in another moment the river behind the
now swiftly moving sloop was dotted with the heads of swimming boys. The
one Ranger who had not leaped into the water was Abe Cruger, who,
realizing the impossibility of swimming in his "Bill Bullseye" garments,
contented himself with tumbling into the boat that towed astern and
casting her loose. As this boat contained but a single long oar, being
only fitted for sculling, and as Abe had never acquired that style of
navigation, he found himself about as helpless in his new position as he
would have been in the water, and could only shout impracticable advice
to the swimmers about him.

All these things happened with such bewildering rapidity as to
completely paralyze poor Captain Crotty, and the sloop shot ahead
several hundred feet before he recovered his senses sufficiently to
again throw her head into the wind, and thus check her progress. Young
Jabe was below starting a fire in the galley stove, and knew nothing of
what was taking place until summoned on deck by his father's shouts.

"Trim in the jib! Trim in quick! Now bear a hand with