“Tige will do that,” said John.
They took out the pig, and put in Tige, who walked off as careful as could be.
“Let’s have a strong team,” said Fred; “let’s put them both in, one before the other.”
As Tige didn’t seem very fond of the pig, and had shown some disposition to bite him, it was not thought safe to trust him behind; so they got some ropes, and traced him up forward. While they were drawing the baby in great style along the edge of the beach, Ben was hiding behind a rock on the White Bull, trying to get a shot at some sea-ducks; at length he fired, killing four of them. Tige looked up at the report, and seeing the dead birds floating on the water, ran with all his might down hill into the cove, dragging pig, baby, and all after him, at a break-neck pace, into the sea. Charlie, leaping into the water, caught at the child, but, missing it, grasped one wheel, which upset the cart in an instant, pitching the screaming child into the water, from which it was instantly rescued by Charlie, who, however, had to swim for it. Meanwhile Tige, utterly regardless of the commotion he was causing, or to how great an extent he was injuring his previous high reputation, swam steadily along, dragging the half-drowned pig after him, till he got among the birds, when, taking one in his mouth, he swam to the White Bull; where Ben, who had watched the whole proceeding, relieved him from the harness, when he swam off and brought in the remainder. By this time John and Fred had arrived in the canoe. The pig lay on the beach apparently almost dead.
“I guess he’ll die,” said Fred. “How bad Charlie will feel!”
They put him, together with the cart, into the canoe, and took him to the cove, where they laid him carefully on the grass.
Charlie, meanwhile, had gone to the house with the baby.
“Well,” said Sally, as she received the screaming, dripping child, “I’m sure I don’t know what this child is born for; it’s not six months old, and has been almost burned to death, and drowned.”
When Charlie returned, and saw Rover in such a condition, he came very near bursting into tears; he knelt down by him, wiped the froth away from his mouth, and rubbed him, calling him good Rover; but piggy gave no signs of life, except it could be perceived he breathed.
Ben now came over from the White Bull in his canoe.