"Both of 'em won't take up much room," said Mel; "and mother's put in some extra food for them."
The day was fair as a late summer day could be; and the boys made the island without a bit of difficulty. It was much less than half a mile to where the Meduxnekeag tumbled over a high rocky ledge, and the current set strongly in that direction; but there were six pairs of stout arms working at the oars and paddles, and the bateau went straight from the mainland to the island. When it was reached and the boat made fast, the boys immediately set about kindling a fire; and then they scattered around to wait while Eb prepared dinner, which he did with scarcely a mishap.
Eb had just announced that everything was ready, when they all heard a loud ringing call:
"Help! Help, here! Help!"
"It sounds—like Clint Parsons!" cried Wat; and just at that moment it seemed to Mel Berry that his heart stopped beating.
"Oh, boys!" he screamed, "where are the twins! I haven't thought— Oh, Eb!"
But Eb was already running with all possible speed down the island to the spot where the boat had been left; and after him presently raced a crowd of wild-eyed boys, each of whom felt instinctively that the boat was gone, the Berry twins were gone, and that the boat and the Berry twins had gone together.
It was just as they expected. As they reached the shore they saw the boat swinging with the current far down the stream, and only a short distance above the Falls. It was making no progress, however, and the boy whose cry for help they had heard was standing erect in the bow; and very soon the boys on the island saw that a line was attached to the boat and made fast to a large old elm-tree on the river-bank.
At that moment a cheery voice came over the water:
"All—right! Haul—us—ashore!"