"There's nobody about that I can see," he exclaimed, "but I'll roarmore gently next time."

There was a bend in the river just at this point, and Jan,looking fearfully about to see if he could see any Germans, foran instant forgot all about the tiller. There was a jerk on thetow-rope and a bump as the nose of the "0ld Woman " ran into theriver-bank. Netteke, the mule, came to a sudden stop, and MotherDe Smet sat down equally suddenly on a coil of rope. Her potatoesspilled over the deck, while a wail from the front of the boatannounced that one of the babies had bumped, too. Mother De Smetpicked herself up and ran to see what was the matter with thebaby, while Father De Smet seized a long pole and hurriedforward. Joseph left the mule to browse upon the grass beside thetow-path and ran back to the boat. His portlyher threw him a polewhich was kept for such emergencies, and they both pushed. Josephpushed on the boat and his portlyher pushed against the river-bank.Meanwhile poor Jan stood wretchedly by the tiller knowing thathis carelessness had caused the trouble, yet not knowing what todo to help.