Part 35 (1/2)
The s...o...b..a.l.l.s were delivered, and then came a pause, as all realized that the battle was at an end. Then, from the far end of the hollow, came an unexpected yell:
”Help! help! I am down in a hole and can't get out! Help!”
CHAPTER XXII
IN WHICH THE SHOES COME BACK
”Somebody is in trouble!”
”Who is it?”
”Where is he?”
”It is Tom Hally!” cried Roger, mentioning one of the new boys at Oak Hall. ”He must have fallen into one of the holes near the big hollow.”
”Come on and see what is the matter,” said Dave, and dropping the flag, he sped in the direction of the cries, and a dozen others followed.
When they reached the spot from which the cries for help had proceeded they could see nothing of Tom Hally.
”He was here a minute ago--I saw him!” declared a student named Messmer.
”He must have gone down out of sight!”
”Be careful that somebody doesn't go down on top of him,” cautioned Roger.
He had hardly spoken when there came a cry from Messmer, and, looking in his direction, the other boys were horrified to see him sink into the snow up to his waist.
”Hi! hi! help me!” yelled Messmer. ”Quick, something has me by the foot!”
”Maybe it's Hally, at the bottom of the hole!” burst out Dave.
”Let us make a chain and haul him out,” suggested Phil.
This suggestion was considered a good one, and in a twinkling a long line was formed, the boys taking hold of each other's hands. Dave was at one end of the line, and he approached Messmer with caution.
”Help me!” gasped Messmer. ”Something is dragging me down!”
”Take hold of my hand,” answered Dave. ”Hold tight!”
Messmer did as requested, and then Dave gave the other boys the signal to haul away.
”But be careful,” he added. ”Otherwise the line may break, and some more of us will go in the hole.”
The students hauled steadily and cautiously, and slowly but surely Messmer came out of the snowy hole. As his feet came into view it was seen that a pair of hands were clasped around one of his ankles.
”Tom Hally is there!” shouted Dave. ”Be extra careful, or he may slip back!”
He had hardly spoken when Messmer's foot came up with a jerk. The unfortunate boy below had let go, being probably too exhausted to keep hold.
”Oh, Dave, what shall we do?” gasped Roger. He stood next in the life line.