JASPER. it3

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Jasper manages well. He comes in sight of his master.

 

the place where the road from the farm came down to
the bank at the great white rock which I told you about.
Jasper waited on the bank a few minutes until the horse
had. had a little time to rest, and then he began to lead
him along through the woods by the bank of the river,
up toward the road. He kept the horse’s bridle in his
mouth all the time, and in leading him through the
bushes and thickets, he chose the way wherever he saw
the best openings and the firmest ground. At length he
brought the horse up to the road, and stopping there by
the great white rock, he began to look off toward the
island to see what had become of his master.

“To his great joy he saw Mr. Woodman sitting there
safely. Mr. Woodman began to call to Jasper, speaking
to him in a kind and encouraging tone, and praising him
for what he had done. Jasper was very much delighted
to hear his master’s voice. Mr. Woodman looked at the
water and began to consider whether it would be prudent
for him to attempt to swim over to where Jasper and the
horse were standing. He found, however, that it would
not be, for the river had been rising rapidly all the time,
and was now much higher than when he first came over.
He concluded, therefore, that he must remain on the
island until the water should subside.”

“What does subside mean ?”’ asked Phonny.

“Go down,” said Beechnut.

“Then why don’t you say go down ?” rejoined Phonny.

“ Because,” replied Beechnut, “go down has two mean-
ings. In one sense, the water was going down all the
time, that is, it was going down the river toward the sea.
So it is more precise to say subside. It was not subsiding
then at all.”

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