And then something happened. Just how no one could explain, but Mr. Towne went overboard, his arms and legs wildly waving, and his cane flying far out into the river. He struck the water with a splash, just as one of the deckhands yelled:
"Man overboard!"
CHAPTER II
TO THE RESCUE
"Lower a boat!"
"Throw him a life preserver!"
"Stop the ship!"
Wild and excited were the cries that followed the accident. Russ and Paul were among the first to act, the former getting a life preserver from one of the racks, while Paul caught up one of the round, white life rings and tossed it far out toward a commotion in the water that indicated where Mr. Towne had disappeared. They had to throw the articles toward the stern of the steamer, as she was in motion, and Mr. Towne was soon some distance astern.
"Stop the ship!" repeated scores of voices, when the nature of the accident was understood.