"Stick to your plank, and we'll get you ashore all right! Don't be scared, whatever you do! Thad, how can we reach him ?" "There's an old boat pulled up on the shore a little ways above here," said the other quickly, for he had the faculty of thinking of everything when an emergency arose, an admirable trait in any boy.
So they started on a run, heading for the spot, and hoping the tragedy would hold off until they could launch the old craft, which leaked more or less, but was likely to hold long enough for them to accomplish the rescue.
Passing the two small girls, Thad shot out words of encouragement to them.
"Stop that screaming!" he told them, with an air of authority.

"You only rattle the boy, don't you know?
We're going after a boat so as to get out to him.

It's close by, and much safer than swimming.

Tell him to keep still, and we'll get him in a jiffy!" Of course he did not slacken his pace any while jerking out these words.

They at least seemed to have some effect on the two children, for they stopped shrieking.
Just as the boys reached the boat, however, the cries broke out again with redoubled energy.