“Tell us how you escaped.  Can’t you see, we are hardly able to believe that it is really you?” was Miss Elting’s excited reply.

“It’s myself, and no other, as Jane would say.  After you had left me I ran back to the wagon to get the blanket and cushions we had left there.  I knew the fire was near me, but I thought I had time enough to get away from it.  Suddenly I felt the bridge giving way.  I was close to the opening into which the horses fell when things began to happen, and I made a long, desperate dive into the river, hoping to get out from under the bridge before it fell on me.  I remember seeing a great shower of sparks falling around me as I shot through the air.  I wondered if it were the bridge that was falling with me.  Then I struck the water.  I swam under the water with the current as fast as I could, then when I thought I had gone far enough, to make it safe to rise, I did so.  I don’t recall what happened after that.  I must have been hit by something, or else bumped into a timber when I rose to the surface.  It is a wonder I wasn’t drowned.  When I came to my senses I was slowly drifting down stream, clinging to a piece of charred plank.  I know it was charred because I could smell it.  You know how wet, burnt wood smells?  This piece of plank smelled that way.”

“Nithe, appetizing odor,” nodded Tommy.  “Yeth?  Go on.”

“I did not know where I was, but I knew I was drifting downstream.  I kicked until I had headed the plank at right angles to the shore, and remained on the plank until my feet touched bottom; then I got up and began plodding along upstream, knowing that, sooner or later, I should find some of you folks.  I heard someone call.  Was it you, Jane?”

“It was myself and no other,” replied Jane

“I thought it was you.  I was out of breath, so I didn’t try to make you hear me.”

“Well, I swum!” ejaculated Grubb under his breath.  “I never expected to see her again.”

“What of the horses?”

“Got ’em,” answered the driver tersely, “Carry-all gone to the everlasting bow-wows.  What now?”

“If the ladies want to go on, we will load the stuff onto the horses and tote them that way to the place I had already picked out for a camp.”

“How far is it?” questioned Miss Elting.

“Oh, a mile farther on, I should say.”

“I fear it would not be wise to go on just now.  I think it would be better for us to make temporary camp somewhere hereabouts.  We are completely exhausted.  Harriet must have a change of clothing and we all need something warm to drink and eat.  Do you know of a good place to make camp for a little while?”

“Back about a quarter of a mile is a grove.  There’s a creek running through it.  That will be a good camping place.”

“Please have the driver assist you in getting the equipment there.  Don’t lose any time.  Harriet, are you cold?”