Fret Offut did not have the opportunity to finish his sentence before a
stout hand was laid on his shoulder and he was plunged headfirst into the
river. "Get out the best you can!" cried Jack North.

He turned to the girl. "Has he dared so much as to lay a ringer on you,
Jenny?"

"Oh, Jack! I am so glad to see you! No, he had not touched me, though I
don't know what he might have done if you had not come. You won't let him
drown?"

"It would serve him about right, if I did. But he will take care of
himself. See, he is crawling out below the mill. Come with me, Jenny, for
I have important news to tell you. I am going to South America!"

"To South America! Oh, Jack, why?"

"The firm want me to go, and they will pay me well for my services. I am
to look after some machinery that is to be shipped."

"But you will come back?" questioned Jenny, anxiously.

"Sure, as soon as my task is done. But now tell me about Fret Offut."

"Oh, there is not much to tell. He--he wanted to be sweet on me and--and I
wouldn't have it. That made him angry, and he followed me to this place,
and--you saw the rest."

"I hope he won't bother you again."