Part 10 (1/2)
”Suits me down to the ground,” said Jack.
”Suits me down to the water,” grinned Noddy.
They had bathing trunks on their boat, and, having found what looked like a good spot, a little cove with a sandy beach, they disrobed and were soon sporting in the water.
”Ouch! It's colder than I thought it was,” cried Noddy.
”You'll soon warm up,” encouraged Jack. ”I'll race you out to that anch.o.r.ed boat.”
”Bully for you,” cried Billy.
”You're on,” echoed Noddy, not to be outdone. But, as a matter of fact, the red-headed lad, who had eaten far more than the others, wasn't feeling very well. However, he did not wish to spoil the fun, so he didn't say anything.
Jack and Billy struck out with long, strong strokes.
”Come on,” cried Jack, looking back at Noddy, who was left behind, and who began to feel worse and worse. ”What's the trouble--want a tow-rope?”
”I'll beat you yet, Jack Ready,” cried Noddy, fighting off a feeling of nausea.
”I guess I went in the water too soon after eating,” he thought. ”It will wear off.”
”Help!”
The single, half-choked cry for aid reached the ears of Jack and Billy when they were almost at the anch.o.r.ed boat, which was the objective point of the race.
”Great Caesar!” burst from Jack. ”What's up now?”
He turned round just in time to see Noddy's arms go up in the air. Then the red-headed lad sank out of sight like a stone.
”He can't be fooling, can he?” exclaimed Billy nervously.
”He wouldn't be so silly as to do that,” rejoined Jack, who was already striking out for the spot where Noddy had vanished. Billy followed him closely.
They were still some yards off when Noddy suddenly reappeared. He was struggling desperately, and his eyes seemed to be popping out of his head. His arms circled wildly, splas.h.i.+ng the water helplessly. Then he disappeared once more.
”Heavens, he is drowning,” choked out Jack. ”We must save him, Billy.”
”Of course we will, old boy,” panted Billy, upon whom the pace was beginning to tell.
Jack reached the spot where the disturbed water showed that Noddy had gone down for the second time. Just as he gained the place Noddy shot up again. He was totally unconscious and sank again almost instantly.
Like a flash Jack was after him, diving down powerfully. He grasped Noddy round the chest under the arms.
”Noddy! Noddy!” he exclaimed, as they shot to the surface. But the lad's eyes were closed, his face was deadly white, and his matted hair lay over his eyes. A terrible thought invaded Jack's mind. What if Noddy were dead and had been rescued too late?
”Here, give me one of his arms. We must get him ash.o.r.e as quickly as we can,” cried Billy.
”That's right; he's a dead weight. Oh, Billy, I hope that he isn't----”