The _Harrapin Belle_ was a big launch that Ben’s father had bought early that season. It had been second-hand, but was in fair condition. More than a dozen boys and girls were going back to town on board, having been invited by generous Ben, and evidently bent on enjoying a little river trip to vary the monotony of things. Lanky discovered, when it was too late, that Dora and Walter Ackerman were aboard, sitting far up in the bow. He kept away from that quarter studiously; and, as the boat started up the river, busied himself in appearing to be utterly care-free. They had not gone more than a few hundred yards before the pilot managed to run against some sort of snag, which was unseen above the surface of the water. No particular damage to the boat resulted; but there was quite a little shock. And then came a scream in a voice that seemed familiar to Lanky. Springing to his feet he dashed toward the bow. The boat was floating with the current now, the power having been turned off. Several of the boys and girls were bending over the side, gazing in alarm at something that was occurring there; and among them Lanky could see Walter Ackerman. But he failed to discover Dora; and the truth broke upon him that it must be the girl who had once been so dear a friend to him, who had fallen into the river at the time of the collision! CHAPTER XIV LANKY FINDS HIS CHANCE “There she is!” “Oh! why doesn’t somebody jump overboard, and save her, poor thing?” cried Helen Allen; at the same time clinging to Paul Bird so desperately that he could not have attempted the rescue act, even though inclined that way. Lanky seized hold of Walter Ackerman. “She was with you!” he shouted; “why don’t you go in after her?” The handsome boy never looked as he did then, white in the face, and frightened. “I would; indeed, I’d do it in a minute--but I can’t swim a stroke!” he gasped. Without waiting to hear another word Lanky threw him contemptuously aside, “just as he might a sack of oats,” Helen afterwards said, in describing it all to Frank. One look Lanky cast over the side, as he kicked his shoes off, and sent his jacket flying after them. This showed him a white face in the midst of the water, and, he thought, a pair of hands held out toward him. Then Lanky jumped. The _Harrapin Belle_ careened far over on the port side, because everyone aboard had hastened to that quarter, in order to learn what happened. They saw Lanky come to the surface after his dive, and fling the water out of his eyes. Then he struck out for the spot where the girl seemed to be struggling, trying to swim perhaps; for Dora was known to possess that accomplishment, though her skirts bothered her considerably now. “Hurray! he’s got her!” whooped Ben Allison, in great excitement. “Bully for our Lanky; he’s just the screamer to-day, though! Won the long run; and now saved the prettiest girl outside of Columbia town!” shouted another boy.