Mr. Francis and his young son, Thomas, strolled towards the river, where fishermen were diligently mending their nets in their small boats. Feeling a pang of idleness, the ferryman, who had been watching from the shore, decided to join the industrious scene. He adjusted his spectacles and scanned the riverbank, searching for a safe spot for Thomas to play while he worked on his own boat.

Lost in the rhythm of his work, the ferryman suddenly realized with a jolt that Thomas was nowhere to be seen. Panic surged through him. Where had the little boy gone?