Tommy told everything that had happened, from the time he went fishing until Sam and Jakie had chased him, and he had taken to the wheel for refuge, being caught there.
“But how did you shut off the water in time?” asked Tommy.
“By pulling on that handle there,” replied Johnny Green, pointing to one near the wheel. “That’s what it’s there for, to stop the wheel suddenly in case of danger, when you haven’t time to run and close down the water gate. And I didn’t have time.
“I was passing the mill, when I heard the water coming down the flume. I knew some one must have turned it on, so I came in to see about it. I like to come to the old mill. I used to work here when I was a young man.
“Well, I saw you on the wheel, and I got in front of you on the big platform. As you turned around you sort of fell over toward me, and I grabbed you, but your head hit on a stick of wood. Then I pulled you toward me. I guess I must have yanked your foot out of the hole where it was caught. Then I carried you over here. You had fainted, so I got some water to put on your face, and I shut off the wheel.”
“I’m ever so much obliged to you,” said Tommy, and, somehow, it did not seem very much to say to the man who had saved his life. “Where are Sam and Jakie?” he asked.
“Don’t know,” answered Johnny Green. “They run away, I guess, after they started the wheel. Just like boys, though I don’t suppose they really thought they had put you in danger. That’s just like boys, too. Are you all right, Tommy?”
“I guess so. My head aches.”
“That’s where you were hit. But come on, I’ll take you home. Next time don’t get on the mill wheel.”
Tommy promised that he would not. He was quite shaky, and besides the pain in his head, his ankle hurt where it had been caught in a hole in the wheel.