Just as the board was thrown into the water, the mill stopped for a moment, and then the poor boy's cries were heard. Several men ran at once to the rescue. One of them was an able-bodied fellow,-an excellent swimmer, so he jumped in at once, and relieved Donald of his burden. The current was stronger than he thought, and he was very nearly sucked into the race-way; but a few desperate strokes of one brawny arm, and his two feet, sent him out of the reach of danger. In a few seconds he placed his insensible burden on the river's bank. Restoratives were immediately applied, and the little fellow, who had not really been very long in the water, soon revived. It was an easier task to rescue Donald. A rope was thrown to him, and he was without much difficulty drawn to the shore. He emptied the water out of his boots, wrung his wet clothes, and proceeded homeward. He cut a sorry figure as he went along. His mother was so busy that she did not observe his entrance till he stood before her. She was astonished at his pale face and drenched look. "Why, Donald!" she exclaimed, "where have you been?" "In the mill-dam, mother; but I couldn't help it." He then told her, as well as he could, all the story. She sent him at once to bed, giving him a warm drink, and putting a bottle filled with hot Iwater to his feet. He was soon sleeping as sweetly as if he had never been in any danger, excepting that now and then he would start in his sleep. It was evident, however, that the little fellow had received no serious damage by the cold bath. Mrs Fraser hung up his clothes before the fire to dry, for these were to be worn on the journey of the morrow. While he was sleeping away the effects of his dangerous adventure, she was ironing his damp clothes, and endeavouring to make them look as well as they did before. But, instead of indulging in vain regrets, her heart went up in devout gratitude to her heavenly Father for the preserving mercy that had spared her boy in such circumstances of danger. "Surely," she said to herself, "God has again made His promise good to the dear boy: When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee.'" |