hy, you see, I can't abide going on the water, any way, and never
could: and most of all without so much as a boat."

"But I will row you as carefully," said Oliver, "as safely as in any
boat. You see how often we have crossed, and how easy it is. You
cannot think what care I will take of you, if you will go."

"Then there's the coming back," objected Ailwin. "If I am on board the
same raft with Roger, we shall all go to the bottom, that's certain!"

"How often have I been to the bottom? And yet I have been on the raft
with Roger, ever since it was made."

"Well, and think how near Mildred was going to the bottom, only just
now. I declare I thought we had seen the last of her."

"Roger had nothing to do with that, you know very well. But I will tell
you how we can manage. You can carry your pail over, and,--(never mind
its being so early)--you can be milking the cow while I bring Roger over
here; and I can come back for you. That will do,--wont it? Come,--
fetch your pail. Depend upon it that is the best plan."

Mildred remembered, with great fear, that by this plan Roger would be
left with her and George while Oliver went to fetch Ailwin home: but she
did not say a word, feeling that she who had caused the mischief ought
not to object to Oliver's plan for getting out of the scrape. She need
not have feared that Oliver would neglect her feelings. Just before he
put off with Ailwin and her milk-pail, he said to his sister--

"I shall try to set Roger down somewhere, so that he cannot plague you
and George; but you had better bolt yourself into the room up-stairs
when you see us coming; and on no account open the door again till I bid
you."

Mildred promised, and then sat down with George asleep on her lap, to
watch the event. She saw Ailwin make some odd gestures as she stood on
the raft, balancing herself as if she thought the boards would gape
under her feet. Oliver paddled diligently, looking behind him oftener
and oftener, as he drew near the landing-place, as if to learn what
Roger meant to do when they came within his reach.

The moment the boys were within arm's length of each other, Roger sprang
furiously upon Oliver, and would have thrown him down in an instant, if
Oliver had not expected this, and been upon his guard. Oliver managed
to jump ashore; and there the boys fought fiercely. There could be no
doubt from the beginning which would be beaten,--Roger was so much the
taller and stro