"I came over to tell you what a scallywag of a boy you've got," began the cross old man. "He and a lot of young loafers took a horse and drove him all through my cornfield to-day, and now you've got to pay the damages.""My son is not a scallywag," Mr. Mason declared, "and if you call him names like loafer and scallywag I'll make you pay damages.""Oh! you will, eh?" the other sneered. "Think I'm afraid of an old constable up here, do you?""Well now, see here," Mr. Mason said, "Be reasonable and do not quarrel over an accident. If any corn is knocked down I'll get Tom to fix it up, if it's broken down we will see what it would cost to replace it. But the boys did not do it purposely, and it was worse for Tom than anyone else, for he's all black and blue from the hard knocks he got."At this the cross man quieted down and said, Well, he would see about it. Mr. Trimble was one of those queer people who believe all a boy is good for is doing mischief and all a boy deserves is scolding or beating. Perhaps this was because he had no sons of his own and therefore had no regard for the sons of other people.
Mr. Mason went directly to the cornfield with his neighbor. He looked carefully over every hill, and with a spade and hoe he was able toput backinto place the few stalks that had been knocked down in Sable's flight.
"There now," said Mr. Mason, "I guess that corn is as good as ever. If it wants any more hoeing Tom will come around in the morning and do it. He is too stiff to move to-night."So that ended the runaway, except for a very lame boy, Tom Mason, who had to limp around for a day or two from stiffness.
"How would you like to be a jockey!" laughed his companions. "You held on like a champion, but you were not in training for the banging you got.""Well, I guess Sable will make a fine racehorse," said Tom, "when he's broken. But it will take someone stronger than I am to break him in."The next afternoon all the boys went fishing. They had been out quite late the night before to find the "night walkers" for bait, as those little worms only come out of the ground after dark. Bert had a new line his father brought from Lakeport, and the others boys had nets and hooks, as most country boys who live near streams are always fond of fishing.
"Let's go over to the cove," Harry said when they all started off. "There's lots of good fish in that dark corner."So the cove was chosen as a good spot to fish from, and soon the Bobbsey boys and their friends were Iying around the edge of the deep clear stream,waiting for a bite.
Bert was the first to jerk his line, and he brought it up with such force that the chubfish on his hook slapped Harry right in the face!
"Look out!" called Harry, trying to dodge the flapping fish. "Put your catch down. He's a good one, but I don't care about having him kiss me thatway again."All the boys laughed at Bert, who was a green fisherman they said. The fish was really a very nice plump chub and weighed more than a pound. He floundered around in the basket and flapped his tail wildly trying to get away from them.
"I've got one," called Tom next, at the same moment pulling his line and bringing up a pretty little sunfish. Now "sunnies" are notconsidered goodeating, so Tom's catch did not come up to Bert's, but it was put in thebasket just the same.
"I'm going out on the springboard," August Stout announced, stepping cautiously out on the board from which good swimmers dived.
"You know you can't swim, August," said Harry, "and if you get a catch and jerk it you'll tumble in.""Oh! I'll be all right," August answered, lying down flat on the narrow springboard and dropping his line.
For a time all the boys lay watching for a bite. No one spoke, for sometimes they say fish are very sensitive to sound and go in another direction if they hear a voice.
It was a beautiful July day, and perhaps the boys were a little lazy. At any rate, they all became so quiet the little woodpeckers on the trees went on with their work pecking at the tree bark as if no human being was in sight.
Suddenly there was a big splash!
"August!" yelled all the boys at once, for indeed Angust was gone from the springboard.
"Quick!" called Harry to his companions."He can't swim!"The next minute the boy in the water came to the top and threw up his arm. But no one was near enough to reach it.
"Strike out, August!" yelled Bert. "We're coming," and one boy after the other dropped in the water now, having thrown off their heavy clothing.
"Oh, where is he?" screamed Bert in terror, for no movement on the water's surface showed them where August was.
"Here!" cried Tom Mason, who was quite a distance out. "Here he is! Help! come quick!"No need to urge the boys to hasten, for all realized the danger their companion was in.
"Don't pull down, August," went on Tom. "Try to help yourself, or you'll pull me under." Harry had around his neck a strong piece of rope he picked up as he made a dive into the water.
"Take hold of this," he called to August, "and we can all pull."As the rope was put in August's hand the other boys all took hold and soon towed the unfortunate boy in.
"He's very weak," said Harry when they pulled August up on the shore. "I guess he has swallowed a lot of water. We better roll him on the grass and work his arms up and down. That will revive him."August was indeed very weak, and had had a narrow escape. For some time his companions worked over him before he opened his eyes and spoke.
"Oh!" he murmured at last, "I'm so sick!""I guess you are, August," said Tom, "but you'll be all right soon." They lifted him carefully under a shady tree and removed his wet clothing.
"I'll run over to Smith's and get him something to wear home," said Harry, who hurried across lots and presently returned with an old suit of clothes. August was able to dress himself now, and as soon as he felt strong enough the boys helped him home.
"You can have my fish, August," said Bert nobly.
"And mine too," Tom added. August did not want to accept the boys' offers at first, but at last they prevailed upon him to do so.
"I think I fell asleep," said he, referring to the accident.
"Guess we all did!" added Harry, "for we only woke up when we heard the splash."It seems the number of accidents country boys have only make them truer friends, for all the things that happened in Meadow Brook made each boy think more of his companions both in being grateful for the help given and being glad no dear friend's life was lost.
