“I’m coming. Keep up!” shouted back the kind Billy Goat, making his hind legs go so fast that the spray from the paddle wheels almost hid him from view. At last, however, and none too soon, he came alongside the poor tired horse.
“Quick! Jump in!” shouted the Billy Goat, and in hopped the bunny rabbit boy.
“Lay your head in the boat,” cried the Billy Goat.
“Lay your head in the boat,” cried the Billy Goat to the Old Brown Horse.
Dear me! The poor old fellow had scarcely enough strength to do even that. At length, however, he began to breathe easier, for all he had to do was just be towed along.
“You saved me from a watery grave, kind Billy Goat Ferry Man. Some day I’ll do you a friendly deed,” said the grateful horse when the Ferryboat reached the shore.
“Oh, don’t mention it,” replied the Billy Goat. “I’d do anything for you and Little Jack Rabbit. Give my regards to the folks at home!” and away paddled the good lifesaver in his paddle-wheel rowboat to the wharf where the little rabbit boys and girls waited for him to take them to ice cream picnics or lollypop clambakes.
“I’ll take you home now that I’m nicely rested,” said the Old Brown Horse. “I declare, I never thought this river had so swift a current.”
“Oh, I was so frightened,” answered the little rabbit, climbing on his back. “I thought I’d never see the dear Old Bramble Patch again. I want to get home to mother.”