"That's just my idea; and we will follow the shore round to Parkville.
The wind will favor us all the way."

I put the Splash about, and with the wind on the quarter, laid a course
which kept the boat within a few rods of the shore. From the beach in
the rear of many of the houses, little piers, not more than three or
four feet wide, were extended into the lake, for the convenience of
embarking and landing in the boats, with which nearly every dwelling was
supplied. We were approaching one of these piers belonging to the first
house beyond the Point, when Bob and myself were startled by a shrill
scream, which caused both of us to spring to our feet.

"What does that mean?" demanded Bob.

"I don't know. I can't see anything," I replied.

"Is it somebody overboard?"

"I don't see any one. It came from the garden beyond that first pier."

"There it is again," said Bob, greatly excited, as the scream was
repeated.

We were not long left in doubt in regard to the person who had uttered
the cry; for a girl immediately emerged from the foliage of the garden,
and ran down to the end of the pier, where she paused and looked
timorously behind her. We looked anxiously for the cause of her terror,
almost expecting to see a bear, a wolf, or at least a savage dog, in
pursuit of the hapless maiden. The young lady was nicely dressed, and
seemed to be fourteen years of age. Of course Bob and I were both
willing "to do or die" in her defence, though we were just then rather
too far off to be of instant service to her, even if any savage beast
had assailed her.

"What's the matter with her?" said Bob; "she appears to be frightened
out of her wits."

"I don't see anything to alarm her."

"Nor I."

But then the young lady screamed again, and we saw a lady rushing out to
the place where the girl was, at the end of the pier. The latter seemed
to be fearfully agitated; and giving one more agonizing cry, she leaped
into the lake, just as the lady was on the point of seizing her by the
arm.

Bob and I were thrilled to the depths of our being by this exciting
scene. I had already put the helm up, and the Splash was headed directly
towards the young lady, who was struggling in the water. The wind
carried her away from the pier about twenty feet, when the Splash
reached the place, and I ran her between the girl and the shore.

"Save her! save her!" cried the lady on the pier.

[Illustration: THE EXCITING SCENE ON THE SOUTH SHORE.-