CHAPTER VI.
AN ACCIDENT ON THE LAKE.
Joe certainly presented a neat appearance when he rowed over to thehotel dock. Before going he purchased a new collar and a dark blue tie,and these, with his new suit and new cap, set him off very well.
The boat had been cleaned in the morning, and when the ladies appearedthey inspected the craft with satisfaction.
"What a nice clean boat," said Mabel Mallison, the niece of theproprietor of the hotel.
"And a nice clean boatman, too," whispered one of her friends. "Icouldn't bear that man we had day before yesterday, with his dirty handsand the tobacco juice around his mouth."
The ladies to go out were four in number, and two sat in the bow and twoin the stern. It made quite a heavy load, but as they were not out forspeed our hero did not mind it.
"We wish to go up to Fern Rock," said Mabel Mallison. "They tell methere are some beautiful ferns to be gathered there."
"There are," answered Joe. "I saw them last week."
"And I wish to get some nice birch bark if I can," said another of theladies.
"I can get you plenty of it."
Joe rowed along in his best style, and while doing so the ladies of theparty asked him numerous questions concerning the lake and vicinity.When Fern Rock was reached, all went ashore, and our hero pointed outthe ferns he had seen, and dug up such as the others wished to takealong. An hour was spent over the ferns, and in getting some birch bark,and then they started on the return for the hotel.
"I'd like to row," cried one of the ladies, a rather plump personage.
"Oh, Jennie, I don't think you can!" cried another.
"Of course I can," answered Jennie, and sprang up from her seat to takethe oars.
"Be careful!" came in a warning from Joe, as the boat began to rock.
"Oh, I'm not afraid!" said the plump young lady, and leaned forward tocatch hold of one oar. Just then her foot slipped and she fell on thegunwale, causing the boat to tip more than ever. As she did this, MabelMallison, who was leaning over the side, gazing down into the clearwaters of the lake, gave a shriek.
"Oh, save me!" came from her, and then she went over, with a loudsplash.
Joe was startled, and the ladies left in the boat set up a wail ofterror.
"She will be drowned!"
"Oh, save her! Save her, somebody!"
"It is my fault!" shrieked the plump young lady. "I tipped the boatover!"
Joe said nothing, but looked over the side of the boat. He saw the bodyof Mabel Mallison not far away. But it was at the lake bottom and didnot offer to rise.
"It's queer she doesn't come up," he thought.
Then he gave a second look and saw that the dress of the unfortunate onewas caught in some sharp rocks. Without hesitation he dived overboard,straight for the bottom.
It was no easy matter to unfasten the garment, which was caught in acrack between two heavy stones. But at the second tug it came free, anda moment later both our hero and Mabel Mallison came to the surface.
"Oh!" cried two of the ladies in the row-boat. "Is she drowned?"
"I trust not," answered Joe. "Sit still, please, or the boat will surelygo over."
As best he could Joe hoisted Mabel into the craft and then clambered inhimself. As he did so the unfortunate girl gave a gasp and opened hereyes.
"Oh!" she murmured.
"You are safe now, Mabel!" said one of her companions.
"And to think it was my fault!" murmured the plump young lady. "I shallnever forgive myself as long as I live!"
Mabel Mallison had swallowed some water, but otherwise she was unhurt.But her pretty blue dress was about ruined, and Joe's new suit did notlook near as well as it had when he had donned it.
"Let us row for the hotel," said one of the young ladies. "Are you allright?" she asked of Joe.
"Yes, ma'am, barring the wetting."
"It was brave of you to go down after Mabel."
"Indeed it was!" cried that young lady. "If it hadn't been for you Imight have been drowned." And she gave a deep shudder.
"I saw she was caught and that's why I went over after her," answeredour hero simply. "It wasn't so much to do."
All dripping as he was, Joe caught up the oars of the boat and sent thecraft in the direction of the hotel at a good speed. That she might nottake cold, a shawl was thrown over Mabel's wet shoulders.
The arrival of the party at the hotel caused a mild sensation. Mabelhurried to her room to put on dry clothing, and Joe was directed to goaround to the kitchen. But when the proprietor of the place had heardwhat Joe had done for his niece he sent the lad to a private apartmentand provided him with dry clothing belonging to another who was of ourhero's size.
"That was a fine thing to do, young man," said the hotel proprietor,when Joe appeared, dressed in the dry garments, and his own clothing hadbeen sent to the laundry to be dried and pressed.
"I'm glad I was there to do it, Mr. Mallison."
"Let me see, aren't you Hiram Bodley's boy?"
"I lived with Mr. Bodley, yes."
"That is what I mean. It was a terrible accident that killed him. Areyou still living at the tumbled-down cabin?"
"No, sir. I've just sold off the things, and I am going to settle intown."
"Where?"
"I haven't decided that yet. I was going to hunt up a place when IkeFairfield gave me the job of rowing out the young ladies."
"I see. You own the boat, eh?"
"Yes, sir."
"You ought to be able to make a fair living, taking out summerboarders."
"I suppose so, but that won't give me anything to do this winter."
"Well, perhaps something else will turn up by that time." AndrewMallison drew out a fat wallet. "I want to reward you for saving Mabel."
He drew out two ten-dollar bills and held them towards our hero. But Joeshook his head and drew back.
"Thank you very much, Mr. Mallison, but I don't want any reward."
"But you have earned it fairly, my lad."
"I won't touch it. If you want to help me you can throw some odd rowingjobs from the hotel in my way."
"Then you won't really touch the money?"
"No, sir."
"How would you like to work for the hotel regularly?"
"I'd like it first-rate if it paid."
"I can guarantee you regular work so long as the summer season lasts."
"And what would it pay?"
"At least a dollar a day, and your board."
"Then I'll accept and with thanks for your kindness."
"When can you come?"
"I'm here already."
"That means that you can stay from now on?"
"Yes, sir."
"I don't suppose you want the job of hauling somebody from the lakeevery day," said Andrew Mallison, with a smile.
"Not unless I was dressed for it, Mr. Mallison. Still, it has been themeans of getting me a good position."
"I shall feel safe in sending out parties with you for I know you willdo your best to keep them from harm."
"I'll certainly do that, I can promise you."
"To-morrow you can take out two old ladies who wish to be rowed aroundthe whole lake and shown every point of interest. Of course you know allthe points."
"Yes, sir, I know every foot of ground around the lake, and I know themountains, too."
"Then there will be no difficulty in keeping you busy. I am glad to takeyou on. I am short one man--or will be by to-night. I am going to letSam Cullum go, for he drinks too much."
"Well, you won't have any trouble with me on that score."
"Don't you drink?"
"Not a drop, sir."
"I am glad to hear it, and it is to your credit," concluded the hotelproprietor.