The carpenter pulled into Miller's Pond campground with little fanfare.  He drove an old RV with stickers from all over the USA.

Roy, the manager of the campground, watched him to be sure he placed the required ten dollar fee into the deposit box when he pulled in.  "Kindly looking old fella," Roy thought before turning his attention back to the newspaper.

The RV sputtered and clattered its way down the main camp road and soon was out of sight.

*

Anna Owens loved Miller's Pond.  It was the only place she could visit and truly be herself untroubled by her parents or her simply awful older brother.  It was autumn and the fishermen that normally frequented the pond had long since retreated from the cold.

It was best at times like these when she could sit with her legs dangling over the edge of the old dock and watch the birds.  Even the occasional slap and splash of fish as they broke the surface was not totally unpleasant.

She was walking down the length of the creaking dock when suddenly it gave way.  She felt herself falling backwards.  The back of her head hit a submerged log as she crashed into the water and her vision went fuzzy.

*

Alice Owens could not imagine where her daughter had gone.  It was ten minutes before supper and Alice hadn't heard a word from her all day.

"Tommy!" she called down the hall.  "Where is your sister?"

"I dunno!" he yelled in reply.  "Hopefully she ran away!"

Alice sighed and turned down the oven to prevent the casserole from burning.

*

It was by chance that Roy noticed the fallen pier and the body floating in the water beside it.  He had been picking up trash around the pond's perimeter and stopped in his tracks at the sight.  He broke into a full sprint towards the remains of the dock and yelling for help.

He waded into the waist high murky water and managed to drag the girl to the sandy bank.  She was pale and not breathing.

"Help!" he cried out frantically.  He wished he had learned CPR.

Then more quickly than his ample frame should have allowed the old man was there.  Gently pushing Roy aside, he knelt down next to Anna.  Removing his copper rimmed glasses, he placed his right hand on the girl's forehead.

"Rise sister," he spoke almost in a whisper.

A few moments later Anna stirred, shaking and coughing up water.

"Oh my God!" exclaimed Roy.  The carpenter removed his hand and smiled down at Anna.

Anna sat up.  She was shivering and confused but unhurt.

"Wait here.  I'm calling an ambulance and her mother.  I know her."

The old man nodded but said nothing.

After running back to the office and making the phone calls, Roy returned to the pond.  Anna was there but the old man was nowhere to be seen.

*

As Alice Owens sped down the dirt road to Miller's Pond she felt a mixture of rage and relief.  "How could Anna be so reckless?" she wondered out loud.

The pickup skidded to a stop in front of the campground office. Anna was on the porch with Roy.  She was huddled in a blanket but seemed alright.

Alice's anger quickly dissipated and she cried as she wrapped her daughter in her arms.

"So where is this good Samaritan?" Alice asked Anna.

"Beats me," answered Roy.  "He left the pond as soon as Anna woke up."

"Can you show us his campsite?  I need to thank him." Alice asked.

Roy nodded and they started following him.

Fallen leaves crunched under their feet as they walked.  Soon they arrived at the campsite.  It was not much more than a clearing, fire pit and picnic table.  There were fresh tire tracks in the dirt.

"Why the heck would he pay for the night and leave?  He must be crazy!" exclaimed Roy.

"Look!" said Anna pointing at the picnic table.

There were fresh wood shavings on the table top.  Neatly carved there were the words:

BELIEVE IN MIRACLES