Bruce scrambled down to the water’s edge and peered out upon the river. A small power boat had grounded on a sandbar in the middle of the stream. Its occupants were two young women in bathing suits. But for their voices he would have taken them for boys. One was tinkering with the engine while the other was trying to push off the boat with an oar which sank ineffectually in the sand. In their attempts to float their craft the young women had not seen Bruce, who, satisfied that they were in no danger, was rather amused by their plight. They were presumably from one of the near-by villas and their bathing suits implied familiarity with the water. The girl at the engine talked excitedly with an occasional profane outburst; her companion was disposed to accept the situation philosophically. “We can easily swim out, so don’t get so excited, Leila,” said the girl with the oar. “And do stop swearing; voices travel a long way over the water.” “I don’t care who hears me,” said the other, though in a lower tone. She gave the engine a spin, starting the motor, but the power was unequal to the task of freeing the boat. With an exclamation of disgust she turned off the switch and the futile threshing of the propeller ceased. “Let’s swim ashore and send back for Polly,” said the girl addressed as Millicent. “I see myself swimming out!” the other retorted. “I’m not going to leave Polly here for some pirate to steal.” “Nobody’s going to steal her. This isn’t the ocean, you know.” “Well, no fool boat’s going to get the best of me! Where’s that flask? I’m freezing!” “You don’t need any more of that! Please give it to me!” “I hope you are enjoying yourself,” said the other petulantly. “I don’t see any fun in this!” “Hello, there!” called Bruce, waving his arms to attract their attention. “Can I be of help?” Startled by his voice, they did not reply immediately, but he heard them conferring as to this unlooked-for hail from the bank. “Oh, I’m perfectly harmless!” he cried reassuringly. “I was just passing and heard your engine. If there’s a boat near by I can pull you off, or I’ll swim out and lift your boat off if you say so.” “Better get a boat,” said the voice he had identified with the name of Millicent. “There’s a boathouse just a little farther up, on your side. You’ll find a skiff and a canoe. We’ll be awfully glad to have your help. Thank you ever so much!” “Don’t forget to come back,” cried Leila. “Certainly not!” laughed Bruce and sprang up the bank. He found the boathouse without trouble, chose the skiff as easier to manage, and rowed back. In the moonlight he saw Millicent standing up in the launch watching him, and as he approached she flashed an electric torch along the side of the boat that he might see the nature of their difficulty. “Do you need food or medical attention?” he asked cheerfully as he skillfully maneuvered the skiff and grounded it on the sand. “I think we’d better get out,” she said.