o.

Once she whispered to him: "I can swim, Roberto."

"Good! But I will carry you," and he suddenly stooped, slung her across
his shoulder as though she had been a feather-weight, and marched on
through the water.

It was plain that the Gypsy boy knew this ford better than the drivers
of the vans, for he found no spot that he could not wade through and
carry Ruth, as well. It was nearly an hour before they reached the land.

The rain beat upon them and the wind soughed in the trees. It seemed to
get darker and darker, yet Roberto never hesitated for direction, and
setting Ruth down upon her own feet, helped her on till they came to a
well-traveled road.

Not far ahead was a light. Ruth knew at once that it was a lamp shining
through the windows of some farmhouse kitchen.

"There they will take you in," Roberto said. "They are kind people. I am
sorry I could not bring away your own clothes and your bag. But it could
not be, Missy."

"Oh! you have been so good to me, Roberto!" she cried, seizing both of
his hands. "However can I thank you--or repay you?"

"Don't be too hard on Gypsy--on my old grandmother. She is old and she
is a miser. She thought she could make your friends pay her money. But
now we will all leave here in the morning and you shall never be
troubled by us again."

"I will do nothing to punish her, Roberto," promised Ruth. "But I hope I
shall see you at the Red Mill some time."

"Perhaps--who knows?" returned the youth, with a smile that she could
see in the dark, his teeth were so white. "Now run to the door and
knock. When I see it opened and you go in, I will return."

Ruth Fielding did as she was bidden. She entered the gate, mounted the
porch, and rapped upon the kitchen door. The moment she looked into the
motherly face of the woman who answered her knock, the girl knew that
her troubles were over.

CHAPTER XVII

OFF FOR SCHOOL AGAIN

There was much bustle about the old Red Mill. The first tang of frost
was in the air, and September was lavishly painting the trees and bushes
along the banks of the Lumano with crimson and yellow.

A week had elapsed since Ruth and Helen had been prisoners in the
Gypsies' encampment, up in the hills. That week had been crowded with
excitement and adventure for the chums and Tom Cameron. They would all
three have much to talk about regarding the Gypsies and their ways, for
weeks to come.

Uncle Ike Cameron had roused up the County Sheriff