By this time Dick and Sammie had so far recovered from their fright that they were able to hurry down stream, and stand on the edge of the stream where the bank sloped gently to the water.  Here they stood for several fearful seconds watching Jasper as he struggled toward them.  They took special care not to wet their feet, but merely reached out and helped to pull Lois ashore and lay her upon the dry ground.  More than that they were unable to do, and naturally turned toward Jasper for help.

“We must get her home at once,” the latter remarked, kneeling by the side of the prostrate woman.  “I am afraid she has been injured by the fall.”

Fortunately, at that instant Lois opened her eyes and fixed them upon him in a dazed manner.  Then she remembered what had happened, and sat suddenly up and looked around.

“My, I have given you a great fright,” she said.  “It was stupid of me to trip over that root.”

“Are you hurt, Lois?” Dick inquired.

“I am somewhat bruised, that is all.  I think I must have fainted and let go of the rock.  How did I get here?”

“Oh, Spuds got hold of you and brought you out,” Dick explained.

Lois at once turned her eyes upon Jasper who was now standing a few feet away.  She noticed his drenched clothes, and also that there was blood upon his forehead.

“You are hurt,” she cried.  “You have struck your head.”

“It’s nothing, I assure you,” and Jasper gave a slight laugh.  “I must have hit it against a rock when we went down, that was all.  It will soon get better.  Never mind me, I am all right.  But you must get home at once.”

“Yes, come, Lois,” and Sammie, speaking for the first time since the accident, stepped forward.  “We must get you home at once.  Never mind this fellow; he doesn’t matter.”

“Indeed he does,” Lois emphatically replied.  “He saved my life, and I can never thank him enough.”

“But I would have saved you, Lois.  I was just coming to rescue you when this fellow, who was spying upon us from the bushes, got to you first.”

Lois never forgot the look on Jasper’s face as the jealous Sammie uttered this insinuation.  He drew himself up to his full height, and his eyes glowed with a sudden light of anger.  She saw his lips move as if about to utter words of protest.  Instead, however, he quickly turned, left them, and walking along the bank for a short distance reached a fordable place in the brook.  He plunged into the water and after a brief struggle reached the opposite bank and disappeared among the trees.

Lois stood and watched him until he was out of sight.  She was faint and greatly annoyed at Sammie’s words.  She knew now what a cad and a coward he really was, and was not even man enough to give credit to the one who had rescued her.

“Come, Dick,” and she turned to her brother, “let’s go home,” was the only remark she made, as she took his arm and walked slowly along the path leading from the brook.  She took no notice of the crestfallen Sammie, who trudged along behind wondering what had come over the young woman that she should act in such a strange manner.