"You're a brave fellow, Geo," said the vicar, grasping his hand, while the farmer patted him kindly on the back.—"Now, then," he shouted, waving his hat to the crowd, "three cheers for the gallant rescuer. Hip, hip, hip, hur-rah-h!" and once more the ringing cheers rang out.
Geo began to feel shy and looked about for a chance of escape, but there was none. He found himself standing with a little group in a clear space into which the vigilant police allowed no one to intrude. Just then a diversion occurred. Over the cheers came the strident discordant sound of a motor horn, and across the common flashed a car, which pulled up sharply, and a gentleman sprang out. The police recognized him, the crowd made way, and he hurried up to the group round the well. It was the dowser. His arrival was well-timed, and among the crowd there were some who knew him before, and without much difficulty he pushed his way through to the enclosure, and in obedience to a signal from Mr Rutland the policeman allowed him to pass under the rope. He looked pale and anxious.
"Is it all right?" he shouted when the car stopped.
A welcome "Yis, yis, master," allayed his fears.
He had followed the movements of the rescuers eagerly since his daily paper had given him news of the catastrophe; but being a busy man, it was not till this morning that he had been able to get away from his work, and had left his home in Gloucestershire almost at break of dawn. Motors are not infallible, and his car had broken down at Swindon; and it being Sunday, there had been great difficulties and consequent delay in getting it repaired.
Mr Wilman's eye fell naturally on the central figure of the group, Geo Lummis.
"Ah!" he exclaimed, "I was right: there is water in your well!" for Geo was dripping, and the water was running off his clothes and trickling slowly away on the dry soil.
"Indeed there is sir, and more'n I cared about!" said Geo dubiously.
"I recognize you," said the dowser, smiling. "You are the young man who followed me with Mr. Barlow on the search."
"Yes, sir," said Geo quietly, and shivering as he spoke.