With his companions clinging to him, Frank managed to drag Joe ashore, still grasping the clothes of the unconscious boy. Dripping wet, Joe scrambled up on the bank, and together they carried Lester out of the willows on to the grass. First aid was immediately rendered. Lester was not seriously hurt. He had swallowed a great quantity of water and the blow on the head had stunned him, but after a while he stirred and opened his eyes. The old man looked relieved, although the other two men watched the scene with indifference. When Lester was finally able to sit up his first question was. "Who saved me?" Frank indicated his brother. "Joe did." Lester struggled to his feet and gratefully shook Joe's hand. "I don't know how to thank you," he said simply. "But you know I'm grateful. I would have been drowned if it hadn't been for you." Joe was embarrassed. "It was him, really," he said, indicating Frank. "If it hadn't been for him we'd have both been in the rapids by now." Lester grasped Frank by the hand. "I have both of you to thank, then. You risked your lives for me." The old man nodded. "It was brave work," he said reluctantly. "I'm mighty thankful to you boys for saving the lad. And after this," he said harshly to Lester, "stay away from that mill race. I've told you fifty times that you're liable to get drowned fooling around there. Next time you mightn't be so lucky." "I'm sorry, Uncle Dock," answered the boy. The party made their way back toward the mill and the boys were conscious of the sullen glances of the two men who were with "Uncle Dock." It was clear that the pair wished the lads would go away. "Better take the kid inside and let him dry his clothes," advised Markel roughly, gesturing to Lester. "We'd better get back to work." Joe's clothes were soaked, but the offer evidently did not include him. "Have you got a fire in the mill?" he hinted hopefully. Uncle Dock glanced at Markel, who shook his head in a surly manner. "No," he answered. "Lester can go to bed until his clothes dry." "My own clothes are pretty wet." Markel affected not to hear this remark, but hastened on toward the mill. "When did you take over the mill?" asked Frank of the old man. "A few weeks ago." "What are your prices for milling?" asked Chet. "My father was saying the other day that he wished the old Turner mill would open again. If he had known you were running the place he would have been over by now. He can put a lot of trade your way." Uncle Dock hesitated and glanced at the other man. "You'd better talk to him, Kurt." "Our prices are pretty high," said Kurt shortly. "We're makin' breakfast foods, chiefly." "But don't you need grain?" "We're pretty well stocked up." "What are your milling prices, anyway?" persisted Chet. Kurt thought for a moment, then gave Chet a list of prices which were so greatly in excess of those charged by the Bayport mills that they were prohibitive.