"That will be one o'clock at the latest," pledged the boy.
He glanced at the clock, and was down the stairs quicker than he had come up them. Frank was back home in a jiffy. He made a brief explanation to his mother. Getting out his bicycle he tied to the handles a pair of long rubber boots. Soon he was sailing down the road to the south.
The Big Woods formed a long six-mile barrier between Greenville and Riverton direct. Its centre was practically Impassible during wet seasons. It was a dismal, slushy waste. For this reason the only road to Riverton wound in a semi-circle many miles out of the natural course.
Frank entered the woods at a familiar opening near the edge of the town. For two miles there was a hard trodden path, and he made good time on his wheel. For two more, he had to pick a straggling course. Many times he had to dismount from the bicycle and run it past obstacles. However, it was not long before he reached the edge of the flats.
"Capital!" said Frank, after an eager survey of the swampy stretch. "I couldn't strike it drier. Now then, for a wade."
Frank ran his bicycle to cover, and drew on the long rubber boots. For a distance of a quarter-of-
