“I’m going to run ahead to the bend, Darry. Perhaps I can give him a lift there.”
The bend was two hundred feet further down the river, and Joe sped to the spot with all speed.
Here there was a low-bending tree, with branches spreading far over the watercourse.
Without hesitation the young pioneer leaped into the tree, and made his way out on the branches, that hung but a couple of yards above the surface of the river.
At first, owing to the thick growth in that vicinity, he could see little or nothing.
“Harry, where are you?” he called.
“Help, Joe, help!” was the answer. “She is dragging me down!”
With these words Harry and his burden came into view. Little Mary clung as tight as ever, and it was next to impossible for Harry to do any swimming. He was treading water, but had gone down over his head twice.
Nearer and nearer swept the pair in the stream, and bending low Joe managed at last to catch little Mary by the arm.
“Come up here,” he said. “I will save you.”