Part 4 (2/2)

CHAPTER IV

TO THE RESCUE

”Don't tell the girls, but I a to swim ashore,” whispered Walter to Jack ”A nice fix ould be in if Mrs Robinson ca”

”Swim ashore!” repeated Jack in surprise ”Why, Walter, it's a ht directly opposite here

You give Ed the tip to keep the girls busy, while you stay back here with me I'll be overboard in no time”

Jack tried to persuade his friend not to take the risk, but Walter was deterarments, he dropped over the side of the launch and was soon stroking for the shore

For soirls did not er, abruptly asked if Walter had fallen asleep

”Yes,” drawled Jack, ”he is the laziest fellow”

Cora pinched Jack's arave her two fir on, and did her best to divert Belle's attention froaze had traveled to the end of the launch and back again without seeing Walter ”He--is gone!”

Realizing that the young man was actually not aboard the boat, she sank down in abject terror, ready to cry

”Don't take on so,” said Ed ”He is all right He has gone ashore to get help”

”Gone ashore!” exclaiine ould sit here cal?” asked Cora ”Why don't you give the boys credit, once in a while, for having a little co across the water, theyouth could be seen, where the htened!” exclai would happen!”

”So always does happen when it is expected,” Cora told her, ”but let us hope it will be nothing worse than e already are conscious of It was splendid of Walter to go, and I am sure he will return safely”

”He's a first-rate swi o a mile”

Then quiet settled upon the party It was, indeed, a gloo in the bay--and nothing but sky above and water beyond theh away to be out of the reach of the launch

All the thoughts of the young folks seemed to follow Walter Belle hid her face in her hands, Bess clung to Cora, and the two young ress of the swimmer

It seemed hours when, suddenly, a movement in the water, not far from them both, was noticed by Bess

”Oh! what is that?” she called ”Can it be----”

”Oh, it's Walter!” shrieked Belle, clasping her hands

”It can't be!” answered Ed, at the so a lantern above his head to see, if possible, as --as--a----,” began Belle