the
lake was much ruffled by the strong wind, and it was not easy to
distinguish.

Alfred hastened back, and said to Emma, "I really am afraid that John is
adrift. I think I see the boat, but am not sure. Emma, go in quietly and
bring out my telescope, which is over my bed-place. Do not let them see
you, or they will be asking questions, and your aunt may be alarmed."

Emma went to the house, and soon returned with the telescope. Alfred and
Malachi then went down to the beach, and the former distinctly made out
that what he had seen was the punt adrift, with John in it.

"Now, what is to be done?" said Alfred. "I must take a horse, and ride
off to the fort, for if they do not see him before he passes, he may not
be picked up."

"If he once gets into the rapids, sir," said Malachi, "he will be in
great danger; for he may be borne down upon one of the rocks, and upset
in a minute."

"Yes; but he is some way from them yet," replied Alfred.

"Very true, sir; but with this strong wind right down to them, and
helping the current, he will soon be there. There is no time to be
lost."

"No; but I'll go in to dinner, and as soon as I have taken a mouthful,
just to avoid creating any alarm, I will slip out, and ride to the fort
as fast as I can."

"Just so; you will be there in good time, for he is now three miles
above the fort; indeed, he can not well pass it without their seeing
him."

"Yes, he can, now that the water is so rough," replied Alfred;
"recollect that they are soldiers in the fort, and not sailors, who are
accustomed to look on the water. A piece of drift timber and a punt is
much the same to their eyes. Come, let us in to dinner."

"Yes, sir; I'll follow you," replied Malachi; "but, before I come in
I'll catch the horse and saddle him for you. You can tell Miss Emma to
hold her tongue about it."

Alfred rejoined Emma, whom he cautioned, and then they went in to their
dinner.

"Where's John?" said Mr. Campbell; "he promised me some lake fish for
dinner, and has never brought them in; so you will not have such good
fare as I expected."

"And where's Malachi?" said Alfred.

"I dare say he and John are out together somewhere," observed Henry,
who, with Martin, had come in before Alfred.

"Well, he will lose his dinner," said Mrs. Campbell.

"That's what I can not afford to do, mother," said Alfred; "I am very
hungry, and I have not more than five minutes to spare, for the seed
must be put in to-