"If he drew away that tiny finger, the angry waters, grown angrier still, would rush forth, and never stop until they had swept over the town. No, he would hold it there till daylight--if he lived! He was not very sure of living. What did this strange buzzing mean? and then the knives that seemed pricking and piercing him from head to foot? He was not certain now that he could draw his finger away, even if he wished to. "At daybreak a clergyman, returning from the bed-side of a sick parishioner, thought he heard groans as he walked along on the top of the dyke. Bending, he saw, far down on the side, a child apparently writhing with pain. "'In the name of wonder, boy,' he exclaimed, 'what are you doing there?' "'I am keeping the water from running out,' was the simple answer of the little hero. 'Tell them to come quick.' "It is needless to add that they did come quickly and that----" ["Jenny Dobbs," said the teacher, rather impatiently, "if you cannot control your feelings so as to read distinctly, we will wait until you recover yourself." "Yes, sir!" said Jenny, quite startled.] It was strange; but at that very moment, Ben, far over the sea, was saying to Lambert: "The noble little fellow! I have frequently met with an account of the incident, but I never knew, till now, that it was really true." "True! Of course it is," said Lambert, kindling. "I have given you the story just as mother told it to me, years ago. Why, there is not a child in Holland who does not know it. And, Ben, you may not think so, but that little boy represents the spirit of the whole country. Not a leak can show itself anywhere either in its politics, honor, or public safety, that a million fingers are not ready to stop it, at any cost." "Whew!" cried Master Ben, "big talking that!" "It's _true_ talk anyway," rejoined Lambert, so very quietly that Ben wisely resolved to make no further comment. [Illustration: _The ice seemed fairly alive_] XIX ON THE CANAL