and help was
coming quickly. Some swam and some were in one of the other canoes. But
Bessie, catching a one of the most interesting people in town to the
farmers and the villagers, who had little to distract or amuse them.

"Stay quiet, Bessie," warned Minnehaha, as she stepped into the canoe.
"You'll be all right if you're not seen. I'll bring Wanaka back right
away."

With swift, sure strokes, Minnehaha sent the canoe skimming over the
water. The other girls were busy in various ways. Some were in the
tents, changing their clothes for bathing suits; some had gone into the
woods to get fresh water from a spring. For the moment no one was in
sight. And suddenly, out of a clear sky, as it seemed, disaster
threatened. Clouds had been gathering for some time but the sun was
still out, and there seemed no reason to fear any storm.

But now there was a sudden roughening of the smooth surface of the
water; white caps were lashed up by a squall that broke with no warning
at all. And Bessie, filled with horror, saw the canoe overturned by the
wind. She saw, too, what busy with Minnehaha, who soon showed signs of
returning consciousness. So Bessie did not see or hear what was going on
outside.

For the man who had been standing with Wanaka on the other shore had
seen Bessie, and he had known her. No wonder, since it was Paw Hoover
himself, from whom Wanaka had bought fresh vegetables for the camp. He
had insisted on helping her to carry them out, although Wanaka, thinking
of Bessie and Zara, had told him she needed no help. But she could not
shake him off, and on the way he had told her about the exciting
happenings of the previous day, of which, she told him, she had already
heard in the village.

"By Godfrey!" said Paw Hoover, as he saw the rescue of Minnehaha, "that
young one's got pluck, so she has! And, what's more, Miss, I've a
suspicion I've seen her before!"

Wanaka said nothing, but smiled. What Paw Hoover had told her had done
more to confirm the truth of Bessie's story than all the talk she had
heard in Hedgeville. She liked the old farmer--and she wondered what he
meant to do. He didn't leave her long in doubt.

"I'll just go over with you," he said, "if you'll make out to ferry me
back here again."

And Wanaka dared not refuse.

"Had an idea you was askin' a lot of questions," said Paw Hoover, with a
chuckle. "Got lots of ideas I keep to myself--'specially at home. An'
say, if that's Bessie, I want to s