Part 35 (1/2)

”Tony, stand by with your boat-hook,” shouted Frank.

But Tim struggled only for an instant on the surface, and then went down again.

”Way enough!” said Frank, as the Zephyr approached the spot. ”Hold water! Oars!”

The boat, under the skilful management of the resolute young c.o.xswain, lost her headway, and lay motionless on the water near the spot where Tim had last appeared.

”Do you see him, Tony?”

”No.”

”Fred, forward with your boat-hook,” continued Frank.

Fred took the boat-hook, and went forward to the bow of the Zephyr.

”There he is!” exclaimed Tony, as he caught a sight of the drowning boy beneath the surface.

Fred dropped his boat-hook into the water intending to fasten it into Tim's clothes.

”He sinks again!” cried Tony, throwing off his jacket and shoes.

Before any of the crew could fully understand his purpose, so quick were his movements, he dived from the bow of the boat deep down into the water.

The boys held their breath in the intensity of their feelings. One or two of them had dropped their oars, and were leaving their places.

”Keep your places, and hold on to your oars!” said Frank sternly. ”Ned Graham, take the other boat-hook.”

”Back her a little--one stroke,” said Fred Harper. ”We are pa.s.sing over the spot.”

Frank ordered the boat back, as desired.

”Here they rise! Tony has him!” exclaimed Fred, as he hooked into Tim's clothes. ”Grasp the other boat-hook, Tony.”

Tim was drawn into the boat, apparently dead.

Tony was so exhausted that he could not speak, and sank into the bottom of the boat.

”Give way!” said Frank, heading the Zephyr towards Rippleton.

The sad event had been observed from the sh.o.r.e, and before the arrival of the club boat quite a number of persons had collected. Scarcely a minute elapsed before the Zephyr touched the bank, and the lifeless body of Tim Bunker was taken out, and conveyed to the nearest house.

”How do you feel, Tony?” asked Frank, lifting the n.o.ble little fellow from his position.

”Badly, Frank; I want to go home,” replied he faintly.

Among other persons who had gathered on the sh.o.r.e of the lake was one of the physicians of Rippleton. He followed the party that conveyed Tim into the house, and applied himself vigorously to the means of restoring him. It was a long time before there were any signs of life, and the people in the meantime believed him dead.

While Dr. Allen was at work over Tim, Fred Harper came to request his a.s.sistance for Tony. Fortunately Dr. Davis, another physician, arrived at this moment, and accompanied him to the boat.