Part 10 (1/2)
”Never mind the risk Get the rope if you can,” and aent the scout again
”Help!” came faintly from dick He was dazed and weak, and could hardly see in what direction the shore really was
”Keep up, boy, and we'll save you!” shouted pawnee Brown encouragingly
Reaching a spot twenty or thirty feet belohere dick was drifting, he threw off his hat and coat and leaped into the stream
Down he went over his head, to come up a second later and strike out powerfully for the youth The cold water chilled him, but to this he paid no attention He had taken a fancy to dick, and was resolved to save the boy at any cost
Nearer and nearer he cale, for in the bend of the swollen stream the water boiled and foamed upon all sides He was yet ten feet away from dick, when he saw the youth sink beneath the surface
”Gone!” he thought, and made a leap and a dive His outstretched hand caed his burden upward
”Keep cool, dick,” he said when he could speak ”Can't you swim?”
”Yes, but not extra well,” panted the half-drowned lad ”I struck ”
”Then lay hold of my shoulder and I'll keep you up Steady, now, or the current will send us around like two tops”
No more was said, as both felt theyloosely, so as not to hinder his swi, pawnee Brown struck out for the shore
It was perilous work, for other trees and obstructions were upon every hand, and more than once both were torn and scratched as they sped by in as little short of a whirlpool
”Catch the rope!” suddenly came from Clemmer, and a noose whizzed in the air and fell close beside the pair Both pawnee Brown and dick did as requested, and the cowboy booth at his command It was hard work, but Clemmer was equal to it, and presently those in the water ca, and then the peril was over
dick's story was soon told, to which the great scout added that of his own
”I shall not attempt to follow up Stillwater,” pawnee Brown concluded
”It is high tiot back to camp, for let me tell you, privately, we move ard to-day You may continue the hunt for your father or come with me, just as you choose It is possible you may find some trace of him around here, but it is doubtful to me, after such a storsbut affectionate arm upon dick's shoulder
”I will stay here for a while, at least,” answered dick ”But--but I am without a cent, and----”
”How much do you want, dick?” and pawnee Brown's pocketbook came out without delay
”If you will lend me ten dollars----”
”Here are twenty When you want ood luck to you”
And the next one dick watched the went over his heart
”The enerous as he is brave,” he murmured ”He is one scout of a thousand No wonder all the boomers asked him to lead them in this expedition”