“Thank you, sir. I’ll be all right. Mrs. Carey said you went out and picked us up, and I’m very much obliged--I mean--” He paused, at a loss for words to express what he did mean. “It sounds awfully foolish to say you’re very much obliged to a person for saving your life, doesn’t it, sir? But I don’t know quite what to say, and----” “Well, well, don’t let it trouble you, my boy. What we did is what any one would have done, and I’m mighty glad we were here to do it. You did a pretty plucky thing yourself, and after that our little rescue doesn’t look like much.” “I guess we wouldn’t look like much if you hadn’t come along, sir,” said Nelson soberly. “We’re not likely to forget it, sir, I can tell you that!” “Well, well, we won’t say anything more about it, eh? All’s well that ends well, and--er--I’ll send your clothes up.” CHAPTER XX RELATES THE CONCLUSION OF THE TRIP AND WHAT HAPPENED AT CAMP Half an hour afterward Nelson passed along the gallery and down the stairs into the arms of Tom, who hugged him ecstatically and stuttered his delight; and of Bob, who, if less demonstrative, showed his pleasure none the less plainly. Mr. Merrill shook hands in a way that brought the color into Nelson’s cheeks, and the ladies when they appeared a few moments later were so attentive that Nelson’s blushes threatened to become permanent. When they were seated at table only Dan was absent, and Nelson asked if he was not coming down. “No,” answered Mr. Carey. “The fact is, your friend had a pretty narrow call. It took us all of half an hour to bring him around. He had swallowed about a gallon of lake water and had played himself out pretty well besides. But he’s all right now, and I’m only waiting for the doctor to come over before I let him up. ‘Orders is orders,’ you know. But of course you can go up and see him whenever you like. He’s asked for you once or twice already.” Nelson wanted to go then and there, but consideration for his hosts led him to await the end of the meal. There were a great many questions to answer, and he had to tell his side of the adventure from start to finish. Then Mr. Carey and Bob began comparing notes, and pretty soon Nelson had a very good idea of what had happened.