As Tom focused his camera, and clicked the shutter, there was a movement in the tangle of vines and bushes near what had been the main entrance to the mill.
“Look out!” exclaimed Jack. “Some one’s coming!”
Holding themselves in readiness for whatever they might see, or for whatever might happen, the boys peered anxiously toward the place whence the noise and movement came.
“False alarm!” laughed Tom, as a fox leaped into view and then, seeing human enemies, slunk out of sight.
“It made noise enough for a man,” declared Jack. “I sure thought it was the hermit getting ready to repel boarders.”
“Well, let’s go ashore,” suggested Bert. “That is, if Tom is done taking fancy snap shots of the old ruin.”
“Sure, I’ve got pictures enough for now, though I may want some from the other side,” assented our hero.
Making the boat fast to the rotting wharf, the four lads climbed out and made ready to inspect the old ruin.
“Look out!” suddenly called Tom. “That’s a weak plank you’re stepping on, Jack. You’ll be through it in another minute!”
He made a grab for his chum, but it was too late. Jack, who had hurried on in advance of the others, had stepped on a board of the wharf that was but a mere rotten shell, and, an instant later, one foot went through it, and Jack slipped down to his hip, the other leg doubled up under him.
“Help! Help!” he cried, in mock seriousness. “One foot’s in the water, and the other will be in a minute.”
“No, but if this leg isn’t skinned all the way up I’m a loon. Pull me out, can’t you?”
As Bert and Dick started toward him Tom called:
“Stand back! If we all crowd up on those old boards we will all be through. Wait until I can lay another plank down, that isn’t so near gone. Then we can give you a hand.”
With the aid of Bert and Dick, our hero ripped off a more substantial board, and then, stepping on this they managed to pull Jack from his uncomfortable position, for he could not help himself.
“Well, how about you?” asked Tom, when they had all made their way off the old wharf to shore.
“Oh, so-so. I’m badly battered up, but still in the ring. One foot is well soaked, but it’s warm weather and I guess I won’t get the epizootic. Say, though, I’m going to be lame,” and Jack limped along.