A smile played over Ralph’s lips. He was about to ask Jimmie some bantering question about what he, the New York waif, expected to find in the distant mountains, but at that instant there came a piercing cry.
“Help! Guzzling grasshoppers! H-e-l-p!”
“Gracious! It’s Persimmons!” cried Ralph, an alarmed look coming over his countenance. Well did he know his friend’s capacity for getting into trouble.
“Run, boys, run! He must be in a serious predicament!” cried the Professor, as the cry came once more.
At top speed they ran toward the end of the platform and the rocky path leading to the thundering mountain torrent.
“If he’s fallen in that creek, he’s a goner!” shouted the station agent, rushing out of the depot. “The falls are right below, and he’ll be swept into them!”
CHAPTER III.
IN PERIL OF HIS LIFE.