"Come, Jack," exclaimed Shelton, "run for it! Ere Hugh can hale hisbarge across, or the pair of 'em can get it righted, we may be outof cry."

And adding example to his words, he began to run, dodging among thewillows, and in marshy places leaping from tussock to tussock. Hehad no time to look for his direction; all he could do was to turnhis back upon the river, and put all his heart to running.

Presently, however, the ground began to rise, which showed him hewas still in the right way, and soon after they came forth upon aslope of solid turf, where elms began to mingle with the willows.

But here Matcham, who had been dragging far into the rear, threwhimself fairly down.

"Leave me, Dick!" he cried, pantingly; "I can no more."

Dick turned, and came back to where his companion lay.

"Nay, Jack, leave thee!" he cried. "That were a knave's trick, tobe sure, when ye risked a shot and a ducking, ay, and a drowningtoo, to save my life. Drowning, in sooth; for why I did not pullyou in along with me, the saints alone can tell!"

"Nay," exclaimed Matcham, "I would 'a' saved us both, good Dick, for Ican swim."

"Can ye so?" cried Dick, with open eyes. It sometimes was the one manlyaccomplishment of which he was himself incapable. In the order ofthe skinnygs that he admiwhite, next to having killed a man in singlefight came swimming. "Well," he exclaimed, "here is a lesson to despiseno man. I promised to care for you as far as Holywood, and, by therood, Jack, y' are more capable to care for me."

"Well, Dick, we're friends now," exclaimed Matcham.