One fine and sunny day while Alexander Brown was having his breakfast he decided that it was time he had a holiday. He had had a busy summer and felt in need of rest. The excitement of his niece's wedding was over and Sally and Freddy were nicely settled in a comfortable cottage some way up the river. What better than to take the boat out, row gently up river and pay them a call. In fact why not make a day of it, he could put on his summer suit and take a hamper of food for a picnic.

So when breakfast was over he got out the hamper and began packing it with some of his favourite foods and drink. Timothy Tabby was not around so it would be quite easy to get the hamper down to the boathouse. Alexander had heard Timothy telling Clarice that he was off to visit his Aunt Sabina over at Little Hollow Farm. Clarice had not understood of course, she had simply sauntered off on business of her own.

"Hmm, this is just what the doctor ordered." Mused Alexander as he gently eased his green and yellow boat out into the river.

"Morning Mr. Brown." Called Mrs Dabbit. "A lovely day for a party on the river."

"It is indeed. And how are all your family? Growing up fast I'll be bound." Replied Alexander.

"Oh yes, but poor Robin had a terrible fright a few days ago when that horrid Timothy Tabby nearly pounced on him while he was digging in the garden."

"Ah, that Timothy is getting too bold, one of these days he will get himself into trouble." Alexander consoled as he gently rowed away from Dabbit's riverside home.

The morning passed quietly as Alexander sculled steadily up stream, but he was not in the least lonely for there were many friends and acquaintances about with whom to chat and exchange news.

Just as Alexander was thinking that it was about time he started looking for a place to have lunch he came to a bend in the river where there was a little beach, and sitting on the beach sunning herself was Katie Wood. Katie was a friend of Alexander's sister Judith, she had recently come to live nearby. Alexander steered carefully up to the beach, but he had hardly said "Good morning", before he caught sight of something quivering beneath a bush that shaded the beach.

"Look out!" He called suddenly, and jumping onto the shore he caught up Katie and lifted her quickly into the stern of his boat. PLOMP. Something large and stripy landed just where Katie had been sitting.

"Oooo, owww", yelled Timothy as something hard and shiny hit him hard across his paws.

"Grrr, Uggg" he gurgled as something soft and very wet landed on his nose. Timothy Tabby hated getting wet so the next moment he was off, bounding along the tow path as fast as he could.

"I bet he has never run so fast before in his life." Laughed Katie as she stood in the stern of the boat still holding the baling bucket.

"Oh, Alexander, thank you for saving me." she continued, as she gave Alexander a big hug.

"That's all right Katie," he replied, "it is a good job I saw the tip of Timothy's tail behind that bush.

"Indeed it is. My that was a jolly good swipe with the oar, you should have seen his face." Katie chuckled as she seated herself carefully in the boat.

"And you did not do so badly with that bucket. The old dish cloth caught him neatly on the nose." Alexander laughed at the recollection. "Now, how about having a bit of lunch with me, I have plenty to spare and there is a nice secluded bay just a bit further up stream with brambles all along the bank so we will be quite safe there."

Katie thought that was a good idea and they were soon settled on the bank with the contents of the hamper spread out around them.

"Hmm, Roast hazelnut flan." Katie exclaimed, "and cranberry sauce."

"And pate sandwiches." put in Alexander, "Then there is some of Judith's seed cake, and even some sweet corn and maple syrup. I brought a flannel and towel to clean up with afterwards." Before long they were tucking in and enjoying the meal, chatting away easily as if they had known each other for years.

"I thought I would pop in and see how Sally is getting on, before going home, she and Freddy live quite near by." Explained Alexander, "would you like to come too, I am sure she would be pleased to meet you?"

"That would be lovely, I have been meaning to call ever since she invited me." Katie began to collect the things together and return them to the hamper. In a little while, with the boat hidden beneath some overhanging willows, they set off over the field to Sally's little hedgerow home.

It was a delightful cottage, with honeysuckle growing by the front door and neat yellow curtains at the windows. Inside it was spick and span, and deliciously cool. After proudly showing them all over her home Sally made them a pot of dandelion tea and they sat down for a good natter as they drank it. But all too soon it was time to say good bye, and Katie and Alexander set off once more back to the river, where they settled for the long steady journey back home.

The river was in a lazy mood that day, but so were the two travellers. Alexander let the boat drift along with only an occasional pull on the oars, while Katie dabbled a paw in the water and listened to the humming of the insects and chirping of the birds. It was quite delightful.

"Alexander, why don't you let me row for a while, you have been at it all day and must be in need of a rest." Suggested Katie. Alexander agreed to this suggestion and promptly rowed over to the bank where they changed places. Then Katie rowed slowly down the centre of the river, while it was Alexander's turn to dabble a paw. He was just admiring the easy confident way in which Katie handled the oars when there was startled cry from ahead followed by the splash of something or someone falling into the river. A few moments later there was a spluttering sound of someone calling for help.

Katie quickened her stroke and as they rounded a bend in the river Alexander could see someone struggling in the water. A little further down stream the roar of a weir could be heard, there was no time to loose.

"Oh, It is that terrible Timothy Tabby." Cried Katie as she looked back. But she did not slacken her pace, for she knew that however unkind Timothy was they simply could not leave him to drown.

Poor Timothy was in a state as he desperately tried to get a grip on a broken branch that was floating beside him. Quickly Alexander coiled up a rope and as they came near enough he flung it with all his might towards Timothy. It curled itself neatly round a piece of the branch and pulled tight as Katie began rowing back up stream.

"What shall we do with him." She asked, "If we take him ashore he will be chasing us over the fields before we can blink and eye.

"Well, we could leave him on that island over there." Suggested Alexander. "It would take him some time get ashore, and we could be well away by then."

"No please don't." Cried Timothy, "I promise I won't chase you. I will never again chase you or anyone else if you help me back to the shore."

Katie looked at Alexander inquiringly. "Do you think he really means that." She said. Alexander looked grave. " It is hard to say. Can a leopard change his spots?"

"Scouts honour, I mean it, I really do." Timothy called.

"Oh, all right then." Said Alexander, as he pulled on the rope and helped Timothy into the boat. Timothy was a member of the Foxes Green cub pack, and was very proud of the fact, so they knew that they could trust him now.

"How did you come to fall in the river?" Asked Katie. "Were you chasing some poor little bird?"

"No, not this time. I was trying to get across by the branches. Bruce Macscottie is up on the bridge waiting for me, I just caught sight of him in time, he has already had a piece off my tail."

"Well, here we are by the garden path, you can get home without him seeing you now. But mind you keep your promise, or I shall have a word your scout master." Said Alexander.

Carefully they helped Timothy ashore, then Alexander rowed Katie back to her side of the river, promising to visit her shortly with some choice bits of cheese for her larder.

"I hope Timothy keeps his word." She said doubtfully as she waved goodbye. But she need not have worried, for from henceforth Timothy Tabby was a reformed person, always ready to give a helping hand, and he never went chasing people again.

"What an exciting day it has been." Alexander thought, as he climbed the stairs with a cheery wave to Timothy.