Part 29 (1/2)

”We will!” cried the Jersey twins, and together they darted for the place where the rowing craft were stored.

Langridge seemed stupefied at the result of his act. He stood there, peering down into the water beneath which Tom had disappeared.

”Get back, I tell you! Get back!” yelled Woodhouse. ”We can't get him out if you tilt the float so. We'll all be in the water!”

Understanding this, the crowd of lads and girls moved back. Captain Woodhouse was peering over the edge of the dock, looking for a sight of Tom, and meanwhile was taking off his coat and vest, preparatory to a plunge in.

”There he is! I see his head!” suddenly cried Miss Tyler, and she pointed to a dark object barely visible in the shadows that were settling down over the river.

”I'll get him!” cried Langridge thickly, but he could not seem to unb.u.t.ton his coat.

”Look out!” cried a voice, and a tall, lithe figure, clad only in a rowing jersey and trunks, pattered in bare feet down the length of the float.

”It's Fenmore!” exclaimed several, and the tall soph.o.m.ore, who had been out in a single sh.e.l.l and who, arriving at the float, had understood what had happened, plunged in. He swam quickly to Tom, who seemed bewildered and unable to help himself. But, if he was dazed, which they later found to be the case, he had sense enough to let Fenmore rescue him in the proper fas.h.i.+on and was soon being lifted out on the float.

His face was pale and blood from a cut on his forehead trickled down one cheek.

”Much hurt?” asked Dan Woodhouse as he put his arms about Tom.

”No--not--not much,” gasped the rescued one. ”I hit my head on the edge and that dazed me. I couldn't strike out, and I swallowed some--some water,” he gulped.

”Can you walk?”

”Sure. I'm all right now,” but Tom began to s.h.i.+ver, for the evening had turned cool and the water was not yet right for bathing.

”Here, take my cloak for him!” exclaimed Miss Tyler, impulsively holding out a thin wrap which was more for appearance than utility. ”It will keep him warm.”

”It will ruin it,” declared Tom. ”I'm as wet as a rat.”

”No matter!” cried the girl imperiously, and she tried to wrap it about Tom's shoulders.

”Here are some sweaters,” said the more practical Kindlings. ”Now run up to the infirmary, Tom, get into a hot bath and throw some hot lemonade into you.”

Tom prepared to start off and Miss Tyler had taken back her cloak. She went closer to Tom.

”I'm awfully sorry. It was all on my account,” she said. ”I hope you will be all right.”

”Su--sure I'll--I'll be all--all right,” declared Tom, though his teeth chattered in spite of himself, for he had sustained a nervous shock.

”I'll inquire for you to-morrow,” she added with a smile as she turned aside.

”I say, old man, I'm afraid I pushed you in, but I didn't mean to--'pon my soul!” exclaimed Langridge earnestly as he edged up to Tom.

”All--all right--it doesn't matter--now,” answered Tom, and then his chums rushed him up to the college, where a warm bath and drinks were soon effectively administered. No bad results attended the unexpected plunge, and that night Tom was able to join in the celebration that followed the winning of the ball game, when many bonfires blazed and the students were allowed more license than usual.

It was about a week later when, following a rather hard series of games between the scrub and 'varsity teams in which Tom had strained his arm, Coach Lighton advised him to get a new kind of liniment to rub on it. It could only be had in a certain store in town, and, obtaining permission to go there on condition that he return to college before nine o'clock, Tom started off alone one evening. Sid had to make up some lessons he was ”shaky” on, and though he wanted to take the walk, he did not feel that he dared spare the time.

On his way to the drug store Tom pa.s.sed the side entrance of a certain resort much patronized by the ”sporty” cla.s.s of students. Several lads were in there, as Tom could tell by the s.n.a.t.c.hes of college songs that floated out, and as he got opposite the place the door swung open to give entrance to others and Tom saw Langridge sitting at a table with several flas.h.i.+ly dressed lads. They were playing cards and gla.s.ses of some sort of liquor stood at their elbows, while most of them, including Langridge, were smoking cigarettes.

”He's broken training with a vengeance!” exclaimed Tom in a low voice as he hurried on. ”Cigarettes are the limit!”