Page:Moving Picture Boys and the Flood.djvu/135

Rh versed the propeller, to hold back the boat against the force of the current. "Jump, little girl!"

"I—I'm afraid!" she sobbed.

"We'll save you!" added Mr. Piper, holding out his arms encouragingly. "Jump, the water won't hurt you."

"I must get a picture of this," murmured Blake. "There are enough others to aid in the rescue work, and I'll leave the camera, and help, the minute I'm needed."

"Yes, it's too good a chance to miss," agreed Joe.

And, while the child hesitated at the window, the flames increased. Blake got the moving picture camera into action.

"Come! You must jump!" called Mr. Ringold.

The child hesitated a moment longer, and then, as a backward look into the house showed her the raging fire coming nearer, she burst into tears, and climbed out on the window sill. Waiting there a moment she let herself drop, feet foremost, into the flood.

"Watch her!" cried Mr. Ringold, as he remained at the wheel.

The child disappeared beneath the surface of the mudder [sic] water.