THE MILL STREAM
On their way home from the old house, the four girls saw Alcinda
approaching. "Don't let's say anything to her about where we've been,"
said Esther Ann.
"No, don't let's," returned Reba; "you know she didn't want to go there
in the first place."
"It was only because she was scared to," rejoined Esther Ann.
"Well, anyhow, don't let's say anything about it," continued Reba.
"Don't you say so, girls?" She looked over her shoulder at Edna and
Reliance who were walking behind.
"I don't see any reason why we should," said Reliance. "Of course, if
she should ask questions, we wouldn't tell her a story."
"Oh, no, we wouldn't do that," agreed the other girls.
But Alcinda had no thought of old houses or anything else at this time
but her little dog, Jetty, a handsome, black Pommeranian to whom she was
devoted and of whom she was very proud. "Oh, girls," she exclaimed as
she came up, "have you seen or heard anything of Jetty? We haven't seen
him since morning, and I am so afraid he has been stolen."
"Oh, wouldn't that be dreadful?" said Edna sympathetically.
"I don't see who would steal him," said Esther Ann, practically.
"Everyone knows he belongs to you, and there aren't many strangers that
come through the village."
"There are a few. There was a tramp at our back door only a few days
ago."
"But you didn't lose Jet a few days ago; it was only to-day that you
missed him."
"I think it's more likely he is shut up somewhere," decided Reba. "Where
have you looked, Alcinda?"
"Oh, pretty near everywhere I could think of, and I have asked everybody
who might have seen him."
"Maybe he has gone off with some other dogs," suggested Reliance. "Dogs
will do that, and sometimes they don't come back for two or three days.
Mr. Prendergast had a dog that did that way. He lives near where we used
to, you know, and he had a collie named Rob Roy that would go off now
and then, and the other dogs would bring him back after a while. He
would come in looking so ashamed, while they stood off to see how he
would be treated."
"Jetty never did run away before," said Alcinda, doubtfully, although
Reliance's words were comforting.
"When did you see him last and what was he doing?" asked Esther Ann.
"Mother heard him barking at a wagon that was going by. He doesn't bark
at everyone, but there are some people he can't bear."
"What people?" inquired Esther Ann, trying to get a clue.
"He doesn't like the butcher boy nor the man that drives the mill wagon,
nor the man that brings the laundry. He always runs out and barks at
them."
"Have you asked any of them about him?"
"No, not yet."
"Then I'll tell you what let's do, girls," proposed Esther Ann. "Two of
us can go around by the mill, two of us can go to the butcher's and
Alcinda can go to the laundry place."
"All right," exclaimed Alcinda hopefully. "It would be lovely if you all
would do that."
"I speak to go to the butcher's," spoke up Esther Ann. She was always
ready to arrange affairs for everyone. "Reliance, you and Edna can go to
the mill; it isn't such a very great way, and Reba can go with me."
The girls all accepted this arrangement and set off in the three
different directions.
"Do you like going to the mill?" asked Edna when she and Reliance were
fairly on their way.
"Oh, yes, much better than going to the butcher's. Although it is quite
a little further, it is a much prettier walk. I always did like mill
ponds, didn't you, Edna?"
"Why, I don't know much about them, but I should think I would like
them. Do we turn off here?"
"Yes, this road leads straight to the mill; you can see it presently
through the trees."
"It isn't so very far, is it?"
"No, but it is a little further to the mill pond. I wonder if the miller
is there."
"Isn't he always there?"
"He is always there in the morning, but not always in the afternoon. No,
the mill is shut down."
"How do you know?"
"I don't hear it, and see there, the wheel isn't moving."
"Oh!" Edna thought that Reliance was very clever to know all this before
they had even reached the mill which now loomed up before them, a grey
stone structure in a little nest of trees which climbed the hill behind
it, and spread along the sides of the stream, flowing on to join the
river.
"It is very pretty here, isn't it?" said Edna admiringly. "What do they
call the stream, Reliance?"
"Black Creek. The mill pond and dam and sluice and all those are higher
up. Do you want to go see them?"
"Why, yes, if we can't do anything about finding Jetty."
"I thought we might go around by the miller's house on our way back; it
isn't much further, and we could ask there."
This seemed a wise thing to do, Edna thought, and she cheerfully
followed Reliance to where the mill pond lay calm and smooth before
them. "It must be lovely here in summer," remarked Edna
enthusiastically.
"It is one of the prettiest places anywhere about. We come here
sometimes for our picnics, all of us school children and the teacher.
Would you dare go across, Edna?"
Edna looked around but saw no bridge. "How could we get across?" she
asked. "I don't see any way but to swim."
Reliance laughed. "There," she said, pointing to the heavy beam which
stretched from shore to shore and below which the water was slowly
trickling, "that's the bridge we children always use."
Edna drew back in dismay. "Oh, how can you? I wouldn't dare. It is so
near the water and suppose you should fall in. I would be sure to get
dizzy, and over I would go."
"Oh, pooh, I don't get dizzy," returned Reliance. "I will show you how
easy it is," and in another minute she was standing on the beam, Edna
shivering and with a queer sensation under her knees. "Oh, do come back,
Reliance," she cried; "I am so afraid you will fall in."
But Reliance did not hear her, or if she did hear, she paid no heed, but
stood looking earnestly at a point beyond her in the water. "Edna,
Edna," she presently called. "You will have to come. I really believe it
is Jetty out there in the water."
Edna wrung her hands. "Oh, I can't, I can't," she wept.
"You must help me try to get him in. I'll come back for you."
Edna shrank away from the shore, divided between her fear of crossing
and her desire to help in the rescue. Reliance lost no time in reaching
her. "You will have to come," she cried excitedly. "He is nearer the
other side. I must go over and try to find a board or two, and you must
stay on the beam and watch so as to see which way he heads. Poor little
fellow, I wonder how long he has been in there. Come, Edna, you can put
your arms around my waist and I will go ahead; you mustn't look at the
water, but just step along after me; I won't let you fall."
Terrible as this effort promised to be, Edna decided that she must make
it if they would save Jetty, and she followed Reliance, who,
encouraging, coaxing, and leading the way step by step, managed to get
the child safely across. "Isn't there any other way of getting back?"
quavered Edna when they were over.
"I think there is a little bridge further down, but never mind that now,
Edna; you stay there and watch, while I get a board and put it out
toward him. I shouldn't wonder if I could find one somewhere about."
Fearfully, Edna crouched on the beam, which seemed but a few inches from
the water. She kept her eyes fixed on the water that she might not lose
sight of the little black head now not so very far away. "Jetty, Jetty,"
she called, "we'll get you out. Nice doggie. Please don't drown before
Reliance comes."
The little dog renewed his struggles and began to swim toward her, Edna
continuing her encouraging talk.
Presently Reliance came down the bank up which she had scrambled; she
was dragging a board behind her and finding some difficulty in doing so.
"Is he still there?" she panted.
"Yes, and trying to swim over to me."
"Don't let him, don't let him. Come over on the bank; it will be easier
to get him from there. There's another board up there. I will go get it
if you will hold on to this one." Edna hesitated to cross the few feet
between her and the shore. "Quick, quick," insisted Reliance. "He might
drift to the dam and get caught there. We must get him before he reaches
it. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl."
Edna obeyed and in another moment was running along the bank toward
Reliance, forgetting everything but her eagerness to save the little
dog, who, seeing both girls, turned and feebly swam to where they were
standing. His strength was almost spent, and he had hard work to keep
from being borne along by the current which was swifter in the center of
the pond.
"I'll have to shove out the board so he can reach it," said Reliance
excitedly. "Here, take this pole and try to keep the board from drifting
toward the dam while I go get the other board." And she thrust the
forked pole into Edna's hands and then sprang up the bank, while Edna
crouched down, as near the water as possible, in order to make best use
of her pole.
It was not easy to keep the board from drifting out, but along the
shallows it was quiet water and it did not go so very far, and before
long, the little dog was able to reach it, crawling upon it and
shivering while he wagged his tail feebly as Edna continued to cheer
him. It was harder work now that the board was heavier by reason of the
added weight, and once or twice Edna was afraid that after all her
efforts would be in vain. It would be dreadful to abandon Jetty when he
was so near to land, and she wished he would attempt to swim to her. But
the little creature was too exhausted to make further effort now that he
had reached footing, though he whined a little when the board drifted
out.
Just as she was afraid it would go beyond her reach, Reliance came
scrambling back, breathless from her exercise. "I had such a time," she
panted. "Oh, Edna, he is really safe, and it is really poor little
Jetty. How glad Alcinda will be. Here, don't let the board go." She
snatched the pole from Edna's hands. "I'll hold on to it while you push
out the other board. I can wade in and get him if I can't do anything
else."
But once so near shore as the second board brought him, Jetty was not
afraid to swim the remaining distance, having gathered up a little added
strength, and after coaxing, ordering and cajoling, the girls were
rewarded by seeing the little creature creep to the edge of the board,
take to the water again and paddle ashore, crouching at their feet in an
ecstasy of joy.
"He is so sopping wet I am afraid he will take cold," said Reliance. "I
am going to wrap him up in my sweater and carry him."
"But won't you take cold," said Edna anxiously.
"No, for I am too warm with struggling up that bank and down again. We
can walk fast."
At first Jetty did not even have power to shake himself, but before many
minutes, his dripping coat was freed of many drops of water, which
freely sprinkled the girls, who laughing ran at a safe distance, and
then Reliance wrapped him up in her jersey and carried him away from the
scene of his late disaster.
"How do you suppose he got in the water?" asked Edna as they trudged
along.
"I think someone threw him in."
"Oh, Reliance, do you really?"
"Yes, I do. We go right by the miller's house and I am going to stop
there and ask them what they know about it all."
"Do you think the miller did it?"
"Oh, no, he wouldn't do such a wicked thing; he is a very nice man, but
he might have seen Jetty about the place and we may be able to find out
something."
To Edna's satisfaction a small footbridge was discovered a short
distance below and on this they crossed, reaching the miller's house
just after. The miller himself was just going in the gate. Reliance
marched up to him and without wasting words, said: "Do you know how this
little dog happened to get into the mill pond?"
The miller paused and looked down at the black nose peeping from its
scarlet wrapping.
"That little dog? I saw him around the mill this morning. A man that has
been driving for me said he found it along the road. Is it your dog?"
"No, it belongs to Alcinda Hewlett."
"Bob Hewlett's daughter?"
"Yes, her father keeps the store and is the postmaster."
"Humph!" The miller stroked his chin and looked speculatively at the
little dog.
"How do you suppose he got so far from home?" ventured Edna.
"Shouldn't wonder if he was brought in my wagon in an empty sack. Bad
man, bad man, that Jeb Wilkins."
"Jetty always barked at him," said Edna.
"I guess that accounts for it. Jeb got mad and thought he'd pay the
little creature back. Barked at him, did he? Well, I don't blame the
dog. I did some pretty tall growling myself before I discharged the man.
He's gone now for good, or bad, whichever you like."
"Do you think he threw the dog in the water?" asked Reliance coming
directly to the point.
"That's just what I do think. I shouldn't wonder if he meant to steal
him at first, and sell him, for it is a valuable dog, they tell me, but
the dog got out, and I was keeping an eye on Jeb so he couldn't make way
with the beast. I meant to take him home and advertise for his owner,
but when I came to look for him, the dog was gone, though Jeb was there.
Said, as innocent as you please, when I made inquiries, that some people
drove by and took the dog back to town where he belonged."
"Oh!" exclaimed Edna, her eyes and mouth round with surprise and
disapproval.
"Just what he said. Made it up out of whole cloth, of course, and
meantime had taken his spite out on me and the poor little dog by
throwing him overboard. How did you happen upon him?"
Reliance gave an account of the rescue and received approving nods.
"Smart girls, you two," he commented.
"Oh, I wasn't smart at all," piped up Edna. "It was all Reliance. I
couldn't have done a thing without her."
"Well," said Mr. Millikin with a smile, "you did your part, and that's
enough said. I was just going to unhitch, but there is my buggy all
ready, and I guess the quickest way to get you back to the village is to
take you there behind Dolly."
"Oh, but we can walk, thank you," protested Reliance.
"It's pretty much of a walk, and the sooner you get there the more
pleased several people will be, I for one, because I don't want Bob
Hewlett's little girl to mourn for her pet any longer than she need, and
again, because I am in a way responsible for what has happened. I'll go
get the buggy right off. You wait here; it won't take a minute." So
presently they were driving along toward home, Reliance with a horse
blanket around her which Mr. Millikin fished out from under the seat
and insisted upon her putting around her shoulders.
To say that Alcinda was overjoyed at the sight of her little pet which
she had given up for lost, would be speaking mildly. "I'll never forget
you two girls, never," she cried. "I shall thank you forever and ever,
and you, too, Mr. Millikin."
"Me? I'm partly to blame, for I ought to have discharged that
good-for-nothing scoundrel long ago, but he was a good driver, and I was
waiting to fill his place. Well, it's all come out right, after all. I
hope your little dog will be none the worse for the experience. I'll pay
his doctor's bills if he gets sick." After which speech, the miller
drove off, and the rescuers darted across the street to their home,
where the tardiness of their appearance was entirely forgiven after they
had told their story.