d saying. Sandy reminded me of it when I started
out to-day."

They tossed in their hooks, and then waited. The water a little way
below the eddy flowed over white stones, flecked here and there with
green moss. The stream made a pleasant sound, and formed an
accompaniment to the songs of the birds which flitted in and out of
the willow trees that lined the stream.

At the foot of the bank, on which sat the two fishers, ran the deep
eddy, silent, and whirling about in a circular motion, caused by the
impact of the brook against the shore, the waters being forced back
on themselves. It was a quiet, and rather still pool, and was reputed
to contain many fine, large fish.

"I--I think I have a nibble," whispered Alice.

"Be careful--don't jerk up too soon," warned Paul. "Yes, there is one
after your bait. See your cork float bob up and down."

"Does that show he's sampling it?"

"Something of that sort, yes. Now, pull in!"

Alice was a bit slow about it, for she had not fished much. Paul,
fearing the fish would get away, reached over toward her, and took
hold of the pole himself.

As he did so he felt the part of the shelving bank on which they were
sitting give away.

"Look out! Throw yourself back!" he cried to Alice. But it was too
late, and the next instant they both found themselves sliding down in
a little avalanche of earth and stones--into the deep eddy.

"Hold your breath!" Alice heard Paul cry as a last direction, and she
obeyed.

The next instant she felt herself in the water, and it closed over
her head.

Alice could swim, and, after the plunge into the stream, she did not
lose her head. She knew she would come up in a second, even though
hampered by her clothes. Her only fear was lest she be entangled in
the fish-line. And in another second she knew this was the case. She
could feel her feet bound together. But her hands were free, and she
had seen expert swimmers make their way through the water with their
feet purposely bound.

She struck out with her hands, and found herself rising. Her lungs
seemed ready to burst for want of air, for she had not had time to
take a full breath.

Then her head shot up out of water, and she could breathe. She shook
her head to get the water from her eyes, and saw Paul striking out
toward her.

"I'll get you!" he cried, and then he uttered an exclamation of
horror, for a log of wood, coming down stream, struck Alice on the
head, and all grew black before