“Look here, youngster,” replied the sturdy farmer, “let me tell you, it is no laughing affair to get into that black sticking-plaster over yonder. More than one man has, in my day, come near losing his life in the salt marshes hereabout, and if your twin sister is prisoned over here, I reckon we shall need a few fence rails before we can get her out; so you may as well shoulder your share, if you’re coming along. Here, take this,” as he balanced a stout rail on Frank’s shoulder, and then pulled, with the “farm hand’s” assistance, four more from the fence. Thus armed, the trio proceeded to the scene of action.
Meanwhile Grandma Dobson had gone on as fast as she could to the very edge of the salt meadow, and called in her trembling tones to poor Kate to “Never mind, somebody would be right along and get her out.” And Kate, burned red in the face by the June sun and by the hot tears she had shed, had called back—
“I’m sinking clear down, ever so far. I wish they’d hurry and make haste.”
Just then the men and Frank arrived.
“See the little thing!” called Mrs. Dobson to them. “Pray, get her out and carry her to the other side, and see that she gets home in safety.”
“Stay back there, youngster!” cried stout farmer Bryan to Frank. But whenever did any boy think there was danger for himself? Carefully advancing, rail in hand, ready to put it down at the first bit of uncertain ground, one man went, the other followed, until they came quite near Kate, who was crying still, she could not tell why, but Frank said, “probably because she was sorry to get out; girls always did such queer, contrary things.”
Putting a rail on either side of the child, the men stood on it, and pulled Kate’s arms until she was “sure” they would pull them off; but at length she felt herself rising, rising, until she was even with the earth once more.
With much exertion the opposite side was reached, and just as Kate’s feet were on firm ground a cry from Frank was heard. His story, as afterwards told, was that he had been so anxious to follow Kate home and see the fun, that he had determined to step very light and fast, and he knew he shouldn’t have time to sink; Kate wouldn’t, if she hadn’t been so frightened the minute she began to go down.
“There, there, youngster,” cried Mr. Bryan, “it’s just good enough for you! You can get out as you got in,” and without waiting an instant he lifted Kate in his stout arms and bore her away across meadow and farm lot toward her home, followed by his assistant.
“It’s too bad—real mean on a fellow! I’ll pay you up for this!” moaned Frank, who, the more determined he grew to get out, the deeper he got in.