"Whereaway, Tom?"
"See the clump beyond the back-water, out in the stream?"
"M—y-e-s, I see. Why, yes, my word! I do believe it's a——"
CHAPTER VIII
WHAT THE TREE HELD
"Thereafter grew the wind; and chafing deaths
In distant waters, sent a troubled cry
Across the slumbrous forest; and the chill
Of coming rain was on the sleeper's brow."
HENRY KENDALL.
"James!" exclaimed Mrs. Blain to her husband during this eventful morning, "it's dinner-time and those lads are not back. I hope nothing has happened."
"What do you expect could have happened, you dear old fidget? I'm going to the post, however, and I'll have a look round."
Could Mr. Blain have beheld the lads at this particular time, the calm of his deep nature would have been broken up in a fashion rare to his experience; for at this moment the boat and its occupants are being borne on the rapids, presently to be flung upon the riotous and foam-crested waves of the river.
In moving along the street the minister met several persons who had been out on the back-water during the morning. All had seen the boys at one time or another. One of the latest in, who had been farther up than most of the others, had passed the boys on his return not long before. They were then heading up the swamp way.