bank, frantically waving his hat. Melville was the first to see him.

"What can that boy want?" he asked.

Herbert immediately looked around, and exclaimed in surprise:

"It's Tom Tripp!"

"Row to shore, and see what he wants," said Melville, quickly.

They were already near, and in a brief space of time they touched
the bank.

"What's the matter, Tom?"

"There's a tramp in the house, stealing all he can lay hands on,"
answered Tom, in excitement.

"What house?"

"Farmer Cole's."

Mr. Cole was the farmer for whom Tom Tripp was working.

Tom explained that the farmer was gone to the village, leaving his
wife alone. A tramp had come to the door and asked for a meal. While
Mrs. Cole was getting something for him, the visitor looked about
him and, finding that there was no man about, boldly demanded money,
after unceremoniously possessing himself of the silver spoons.