He jumped up at once, and came running out in his dressing-gown, which, being of light material, was taken up by the wind and floated out behind him like a streamer. We three repaired to the well, where Old Dick had preceded us. Dinah was armed with the rolling-pin, my husband had the notes of a prospective sermon in his hands, which were scattered to the four winds, and I had some fancy-work, which, in my excitement, I had forgotten to lay aside. Truly we were well equipped for extricating a drowning boy from a well.
When we arrived at the well, it had begun to grow dark, and when we looked down into it, it appeared a deep black hole that might extend to the centre of the earth. Old Dick was leaning over the frame gazing into the dark depths below.
"Joby," he cried, "jes keep yo' hade 'bove water till we git down to yer. Hole onter de stones on de side, Joby. Does yer hear me, honey?"
No response from the well.
"Joby," he cried, in a louder voice, "does yer hear me?"
This was succeeded by a confused splashing at the bottom of the well.
"Oh, de po' boy!" cried Old Dick, wringing his hands; "he'll be drown', sho! Joby, o-o-oh, Joby, does yer hear me, honey?"
"HE WOULD HAVE PITCHED HEADLONG INTO THE WELL."
Here Old Dick leaned so far over the well frame that if Mr. Williams had not caught him he would have pitched headlong into the well.