Part 46 (2/2)
The roar of the surf gave hi; there was very little wind, and he could not see theup the channel and hoped he was heading the right way Shortly afterwards a dull report rolled across the sands
”A ten-bore!” he exclai, and since the water's rising, he's on the shore flat Where do you locate the shot?”
”A little to the left,” said Jake
They swerved and presently heard the gun again
”That's for us,” gasped Jim ”dick has found the punt; I reckon she's afloat”
”Let et the punt”
Ji to stick to you until you're safe on board”
”Water!” shouted Jake, fro, which was getting thin again
They could see for a short distance, but when they stopped at the edge of the channel the punt was not about She was, however, painted an inconspicuous gray, and Ji which way to turn, a heavy report ca
”Hallo!” Jake shouted ”Where's our punt?”
”On your side,” somebody answered ”Saw her five minutes since and then the water drove me back”
The voice ca a short distance they stopped A low, indistinct object floated about thirty yards off, and Ji Carrie's arm, stood for a moment with his hands clenched
The wave-lined sand was level, and this utter was steep The tide had filled the hollow and he could not see across He was not disturbed about the depth, but the current rippled across the sand, carrying along clumps of weed and flakes of foam that showed how fast it went
”Give me your knife,” he said to Jake, as he pulled off his oilskin
”I've got to swim You must stay with Carrie; I swim better”
He slit the waders and tore the the sand, heading up streaed in After he had taken a few steps the water frothed about his waist, and nexthis left arainst the current that carried hi and craht be swept some distance up the channel before he could land He must not ain and did not think Jake could reach her
After aabout in the rush of tide and see lineand let himself drift He must not be carried past; and presently he made a quick stroke and felt a triuers clutched the craft's low side For all that, he had not conquered yet He was tired, and it is hard to get on board a floating punt
The current swept his legs under the boat, and when he tried to lift hiht and threatened to capsize But hefor Carrie's life, and re his hands along the side of the punt, he let the current take him aft, and then with a desperate effort lifted the upper of his body above the pointed stern
Next moment, he fell forward on the deck and crawled to the well He had won He tried to shout, but could not His heart beat like a haether, he seized the line at the bow, and in a few moments the anchor was on board and he picked up the pole The punt drifted fast up channel while he headed for the bank, but he saw Jake running along the sand and presently threw the light anchor as far as he could Jake caught the line and Jih the water and picked up Carrie
He felt her tremble and kissed her as she put her arms round his neck
It did nother on board he jurasped the pole
”Shove us off,” he said to Jake ”I'll co, and soon the pole did not touch bottom and Jim used the paddle After a few ure, apparently in the water; and then his paddle struck sand