"Sure enough, it is a cat. Most likely some bad boy has thrown it in the water with a stone tied to its neck, to try to drown it, but it has managed to crawl up on the rocks."
"Poor kitty! Let us go get our rowboat and bring it off. Will you, papa?"
"Yes, dear; if you want to, we will."
On their way to get the boat they passed within a few feet of the well, and though they heard both Billy's and Stubby's voices they could see them nowhere, and the wind played sad havoc for it made their voices sound as if they came from the opposite direction. After stopping several times and listening without being able to decide where the animals were, they walked on. Billy and Stubby could hear their voices die away in the distance.
"Now, Billy, there is a chance lost, so stand up and let me see if I can't climb up on your back and get out."
It took many trials, but at last by Billy putting his hind legs against one wall of the well and bracing his forehead against the opposite wall, Stubby managed to jump on his back and climb to his head, from where he gave a big leap and landed outside the well.
"Now, Billy, don't worry! I will soon find some one to get you out. If I don't, I promise you on my sacred word of honor to come back here and die with you."
It was not a rash promise on Stubby's part for already he had seen the man and his little daughter rowing out to take Button off the rocks.
