Part 5 (1/2)

The Cut.w.a.ter was put on a different track, and they began to move across the lake, it being Jerry's idea to cross and recross at a distance of every six or seven hundred feet.

Twice did they come close to each sh.o.r.e without seeing anything of Harry.

”Gone down, suah's you're born!” said Blumpo, and the tears started out of his big, honest eyes.

”I am afraid so,” returned Jerry, ”and yet--hark!”

He put up his hand and all were instantly on the alert. The wind had gone down somewhat, and from a distance came a low cry. ”It's Harry's!” said Jerry. ”Hullo, Harry!” he yelled, with all the power of his lungs.

He waited, and an answering cry came back from toward the center of the lake. It was very weak, showing that Harry was almost exhausted.

The course of the sloop was instantly changed, and they strove to reach the spot before the boy should go down.

Jerry was the first to see the form floating about amid the whitecaps.

”Keep up, Harry!” he called encouragingly. ”We will soon have you on board.”

”I can't keep up any longer,” gasped his chum. ”I am played out.” And throwing up his arms, Harry disappeared.

Tying the end of a long rope about his waist, Jerry leaped overboard. He struck the spot where Harry had gone down and felt in every direction for his chum.

His hand touched an arm, and then he held Harry fast and brought him to the surface. The poor boy was too weak to make the first movement.

”Haul in on the rope, Blumpo!” called Jerry.

Turning the tiller over to Dora Vincent, the homeless youth did as directed.

Jerry, with his burden, was soon brought alongside.

It was no easy matter to hoist Harry on deck in the storm, but at last it was accomplished, and Jerry followed his charge.

Harry was unconscious, and he was taken to the cabin, where Dora and the other girls did all in their power for him; and then the Cut.w.a.ter was headed for Lakeview, two miles distant.

The hurricane, or whatever it might be called, had by this time spent itself. The rain ceased and before the lake town came into view the sun shone once more as brightly as ever.

Clarence Conant came on deck looking very much annoyed. He felt that he had played the part of a coward, and knew he would have no easy time of it to right himself in the eyes of the young ladies.

”The--ah--truth is, I was very sick,” he explained to Jerry. ”I got a--ah--spasm of the--ah--heart.”

”Sure it wasn't a spasm in your great toe?” said Jerry, with a grin.

But Clarence never smiled. It would not have been good form, you know.

As soon as the dock was reached, Jerry left Blumpo to tie up and went to Harry. He found his chum able to sit up. He was very weak, but that was all.

”It was a close call for me, Jerry,” said Harry, with a shudder. ”I owe you my life.”

”It was a close call all around,” replied our hero. ”We can be thankful that we are here safe and sound.” Harry felt too weak to walk, so a carriage was called to take him home. Jerry went with him, while Blumpo went over to the grocery store to tell of all that had happened.

Clarence Conant was utterly left. He tried to excuse himself to Dora Vincent and the other young ladies, but they would have nothing to do with him.