Part 29 (1/2)
”Look,” and Tom stretched out his long right arm, ”ye kin just see it.
There, it's plainer now.”
The only answer Jasper made was to give the boat a vigorous push from the sh.o.r.e, leap aboard, seize the wheel and order Tom to start the engine. In a few seconds they were cutting their way rapidly through the water straight for the big white-caps beyond. Tom asked no questions, but attended to the engine. It was all in the day's work to him, and this was much easier than towing logs.
From the moment he had seized the wheel Jasper had not taken his eyes off of the little boat away in the distance. He could see that it was in the rough water and was pitching about in an alarming manner. It seemed to be beyond control and was drifting rapidly toward the rougher water of the main channel.
”We are going very slow, Tom,” he remarked. ”Can't we do any better?”
”She's runnin' full speed,” was the reply. ”I'd like to slow down a bit, for we're gettin' soaked.”
”Never mind the water, Tom. I wish you could make her go as fast again. Oh! did you see that?”
”See what?”
”The way that little boat pitched. I thought she had swamped.”
It did not really take them more than ten minutes to run across that stretch of water, but to Jasper it seemed much longer. The boat pounded and threshed her way forward, s.h.i.+pping water at every plunge, keeping Tom busy with the small suction pump. At last, however, it was easy for Jasper to see two women sitting in the drifting boat. That they were helpless and had given up all attempt to reach the sh.o.r.e was quite evident. One was seated astern, and the other was holding the oars in her hands, but making no use of them. Jasper's heart beat quicker as he watched her, for he well knew what a struggle she must have made before giving up in despair.
”They're women!” Tom exclaimed in astonishment. ”What in the devil are they doin' out here!”
”Shut up, and attend to your engine,” Jasper sternly ordered.
They were quite close now, and the women saw them. As they approached Jasper could see Lois' face turned toward him and it was very white.
”Sit still,” he shouted, and then he motioned to Tom to slow down.
”Stop her,” he presently ordered, and soon they were drifting up close to the little boat.
It took Lois and Margaret but a few seconds to step on board of the rafting boat, and then their own craft was taken in tow. There was no time for words now, as Jasper had all he could do to handle his own boat, for she was rolling heavily as he swung her around and headed for the sh.o.r.e. Running almost broadside to the waves a great deal of water was s.h.i.+pped, which kept Tom busy at the pump.
Jasper had no time to pay any attention to the women, but he intuitively knew that Lois was watching him. He was really happier than he had been for days, and he was so pleased that he had been of some service to the woman he loved. This was the second time he had rescued her from the water, and his mind went back to the experience up the brook below the falls. There was no Sammie Dingle present now to mar his pleasure, for which he was most thankful.
It did not take the boat long to run to the Sinclair sh.o.r.e, and here in a snug place, safe from the wind, she was beached.
”We can never thank you for what you have done for us to-day,” Lois remarked as she and Margaret walked with Jasper to the house. ”You have saved our lives.”
”Don't thank me,” Jasper replied. ”It was a pleasure for me to do what I did.”
”But how did you know we were out there?” Margaret asked.
”It was Tom who saw you first and pointed your boat out to me. He is the one you should thank.”
”But why was Tom looking toward the island?” Lois enquired. ”Your explanation does not satisfy me.”
”Do you imagine that I was spying upon your little outing?” Jasper questioned.
”Not exactly spying. I don't like that word. But you must have known that we were there.”
”Yes, I did. I saw you go over this afternoon, and when the wind sprang up it was only natural to suppose you would have trouble in getting home. That is all there is about it.”