The Young Oarsmen of Lakeview Part 51

CHAPTER x.x.xIX.

HARRY TO THE RESCUE.

Early on the following morning Harry came over to take Jerry for a sail on the lake in the Whistler.

"We can sail and talk at the same time," he explained. "I know you must be longing for a whiff of the water."

"You are right there, Harry," returned the young oarsman, "Lake Otasco is better than the hot pavements of New York City a hundred times over."

The two boys soon set off. Harry had expected Blumpo to accompany them, but that youth was out in his own boat with a party that had hired the craft for several days.

"Blumpo is making money," said Harry, "and I am glad of it."

"So am I," replied our hero. "He is an odd sort of chap, but his heart is of gold."

The Whistler was soon on her way up the lake with old Jack Broxton at the tiller, and as the breeze was steady the boys had little to do but talk.

Once again our hero related his story, and Harry proved a most attentive listener.

"That Alexander Sloc.u.m ought to go to prison for life," he said, at the conclusion. "The idea of daring to make out that Nellie Ardell was insane."

"It was a bold scheme, Harry."

"It seems to me the world is full of bad people, Jerry. Look at such men as that Sloc.u.m and his tools, and then at such boys as Si Peters and Wash Crosby."

"Where do you suppose Crosby and Peters are?"

"The authorities don't know. But Blumpo told me a few days ago he was almost certain he had seen them on the north sh.o.r.e of the lake. He said they took to their heels in the bushes just about the time he spotted them."

"They are bound to be brought to justice sooner or later."

"I don't know. But I do know one thing; I would like to get back my gold watch."

Thus the talk ran on, until Hermit Island was reached. Here they run in for a few minutes, to pa.s.s a word with Blumpo's father, who greeted them cordially. After this, they continued up along the south side of the lake.

As they skirted the beautiful sh.o.r.e they gradually crept up to a large excursion boat. "Hullo, what's that boat doing here?" cried Jerry.

"It's a Sunday-school excursion from Cedar Falls," replied his chum.

The steamboat was not a large one and she seemed to have more than her regular allowance of pa.s.sengers aboard. Every deck was full of grown folks and children, dressed in their best.

A band was playing a merry air, and some of the children were singing.

"Let's give them a cheer," suggested the young oarsman, as they drew closer.

"All right," replied Harry, pulling out his handkerchief. "One, two, three. Hurrah! hur----"

Harry stopped short, as a cry of horror arose on board of the excursion boat.

A young girl had been standing close to the rail on a camp stool at the bow of the boat.

As the steamboat swung around the girl lost her balance.

She tried to save herself, and, failing, pitched headlong into the water.

Harry saw her go under the greenish waves.

"She'll be struck by the paddle wheel," he yelled, and then, splas.h.!.+ he was overboard himself.

Bravely he struck out to save the maiden.

The order was given to back the steamboat.

The wheels churned up the water into a white foam, but still the momentum carried the large craft on. In the meantime Harry came up and struck out valiantly for the girl, who was now going down for a second time.

"Save her! Save her!" shrieked the mother of the girl, in an agony of fear.

Half a dozen life preservers were thrown overboard, but none came to where the girl could reach them.

The mother of the girl wanted to join her daughter in the water but strong hands held her back.

"The young fellow will save her, madam!"

"He's a true hero!"

Life lines were thrown over, but even these did no good.

The steamboat swung around, but the run of the water washed the girl closer and closer to the paddle wheel.

She now came up a second time. Should she sink again all would be over.

Harry was swimming with all the strength and skill at his command.

At last he was within a yard of the struggling girl.

The maiden threw up her hands and went under.

As quick as a flash Harry dove down.

A second pa.s.sed. Then up came the youth with the girl clinging to his shoulder.

But now the current was apparently too strong for both of them.

They were hurled up against the paddle wheel of the steamboat, and then disappeared entirely from view.

Jack Broxton gave a groan.

"Harry is lost!"