Mr Podington smiled, and leaning backward, he looked up beautiful blue sky

" 't anything better than this, Thomas," said he; "but you needn't think weakening; you drove with me, sail "

The thought came into Buller's mind that he had done both things with Podington, but wish up unpleasant memories, and said nothing

About half mile town there stood small cottage where house-cleaning was going on, and on fence, not far canal, there hung carpet gaily adorned with stripes and spots of red and yellow

drowsy tow-horse came abreast house, carpet caught his eye, he suddenly stopped and gave start toward the canal Then, impressed with horror glaring apparition, he gathered himself up, and with bound dashed along the tow-path The astounded boy gave shout, but was speedily left behind The boat of Mr Buller shot forward she struck by squall

The terrified horse sped on red and yellow demon were after him The boat bounded, and plunged, and frequently struck the grassy bank canal, it would break itself to pieces Mr Podington clutched the boom himself from being thrown out, while Mr Buller, both hands tiller, frantically endeavored the boat bank

"William ! " he screamed, " running away ; dashed to pieces ! Can't you get forward and cast off that line ? "

"What ? " cried Podington, boom gave great jerk it would break its fastenings and drag him overboard

"I mean untie the tow-line We'll be smashed don't ! 't leave this tiller Don't try to stand up; hold on boom and creep forward Steady now, or you'll be overboard ! "

Mr Podington stumbled bow boat, his efforts greatly impeded big cork life-preserver tied under his arms, motion boat was so violent and erratic that obliged to hold on mast with one arm and to loosen the knot other; but great strain rope, and do nothing with one hand

"Cut it ! Cut it ! " cried Mr Buller

"I haven't knife," replied Podington

Mr Buller was terribly frightened; his boat was cutting water as never vessel of her class had sped since sail-boats were invented, and bumping against the bank she were billiard-ball rebounding edge of table He forgot in boat; he only knew that first time life in runaway He let go the tiller of no use to him

"William," he cried, " jump out the near enough to shore ! "

"Don't ! Don't ! " replied Podington "Don't jump out in runaway; way hurt Stick to your seat, my boy; 't keep this up much longer He'll lose his wind ! "

Mr Podington was greatly excited, but not frightened, as Buller was He in runaway before, and help thinking better wagon was than boat case

"If he were hitched up shorter and I had snaffle-bit and stout pair of reins," thought he, " soon bring him up "

But Mr Buller was rapidly losing his wits The horse seemed going faster than ever The boat bumped harder against the bank, and at Buller thought turn over

Suddenly thought struck him

"William," he shouted, "tip that anchor over the side ! Throw it in, ! "

Mr Podington looked about him, and, almost under his feet, saw the anchor instantly comprehend why Buller wanted it thrown overboard, but not time to ask questions The difficulties imposed life-preserver, necessity of holding on with one hand, interfered getting anchor and throwing it over the side, but at last he succeeded, and just boat threw up her bow she were about to jump on shore, the anchor went out and its line shot after it an irregular trembling boat anchor struggled along the bottom canal; then great shock; the boat ran bank and stopped; the tow-line was tightened like guitar-string, horse, jerked back with great violence, came tumbling in heap ground

Instantly Mr Podington was shore and running top speed toward the horse The astounded animal had scarcely begun to struggle feet when Podington rushed upon him, pressed his head back ground, and sat upon it

"Hurrah ! " he cried, waving his hat above his head "Get out, Buller; all right now ! "

Presently Mr Buller approached, shaken up

"All right ? " "I don't call horse flat in road with man head all right; but hold him down till we get him loose from my boat thing William, cast him loose boat let him up ! he do when he gets up ? "

"Oh he'll be quiet enough when he gets up," said Podington "But 've got knife cut his traces---I mean that rope--but no, you needn't Here comes the boy We'll settle this business in very short order now "

horse was feet, and all connection animal boat severed, Mr Podington looked at his friend

"Thomas," said he, "you seem to hard time of it lost your hat and you look as in wrestling-match "

" ," replied the other; "I wrestled tiller and I wonder it didn't throw me out "

Now approached the boy "Shall I hitch him on again, sir ? " said he "He's quiet enough now "

"No," cried Mr Buller; " no more sailing after horse, and, besides, 't go lake boat; she battered about that she opened dozen seams The best thing do is to walk home "

Mr Podington agreed friend that walking home best thing do The boat was examined and found leaking, but not very badly, and when her mast unshipped and everything made tight and right on board, she was pulled way of tow-lines and boats, and made fast until be sent for town

Mr Buller and Mr Podington walked back toward the town They gone very far met party of boys, who, upon seeing them, burst into unseemly laughter

"Mister," cried , "you needn't be afraid of tumbling canal Why don't you take off your life-preserver and let that other man put it head ? "

The two friends looked at and help joining laughter boys

"By George ! I forgot all ," said Podington, as he unfastened the cork jacket "It does look little super-timid to wear life-preserver just because one happens walking side of canal "

Mr Buller tied handkerchief head, and Mr Podington rolled up his life-preserver and carried it under his arm Thus they reached the town, where Buller bought hat, Podington dispensed bundle, and arrangements were made to bring back the boat

"Runaway in sailboat ! " exclaimed canal boatmen when he had heard accident "Upon my word ! That beats anything that could happen to man ! "

"No, it doesn't," replied Mr Buller, quietly "I bottom in foundered road-wagon "

The man looked at him fixedly

"Was you ever struck mud in balloon ? " he asked

"Not yet," replied Mr Buller

It required ten days Mr Buller's sailboat into proper condition, and for ten days Mr Podington stayed friend, and enjoyed his visit They strolled beach, they took long walks back country, they fished end of pier, they smoked, they talked, and were happy and content

"Thomas," said Mr Podington, last evening stay, " enjoyed myself since down here, and now, Thomas, if I were down again next summer, would you mind--would you mind, not----"

" mind it bit," replied Buller, promptly "I'll never as mention it; so come along without thought of it And since alluded subject, William," he continued, "I'd like you again; my visit was very short one this year beautiful country you live in Such variety of scenery, such an opportunity for walks and rambles ! But, William, only make up your mind not to----"

"Oh, all right ! " exclaimed Podington " need up my mind You come to my house and never as hear of it Here's my hand upon it ! "

"And here's mine ! " said Mr Buller

shook hands over new compact