He let go of the
loop, and was shot upward. But, as he moved, his spread arms
caught hold of the floating figure.
Up to within a few feet of the surface Darrin and his burden moved
easily. Then he found it necessary to kick out hard with his
feet. Thus he carried the burden clear, to the open air above,
though at a distance of some forty feet from the steamer.
"There they are!" Farley's voice was heard calling, and there
was a splash.
"Bully for you, old fellow! Hold her up, and I'm with you!" hailed
Midshipman Farley.
In another moment Dave Darrin had been eased of his human burden,
and Farley was swimming to the steamer with the senseless form
of Pauline Butler.
Darrin tried to swim, and was astounded at finding himself so
weak in the water. He floated, propelling himself feebly with
his hands, completely exhausted.
Just at that moment nearly every eye was fixed on Farley and his
motionless burden, and many pairs of hands stretched out to receive
them.
Yet the gaze of one alert pair of eyes was fixed on Darrin, out
there beyond.
"Now, you'd better look after Dave," broke in the quiet, clear
voice of Belle Meade. "I think he needs help."
Wolgast went over the side in an instant, grappling with Midshipman
Darrin and towing him to the side of the boat.
"All in!" cried Midshipman Gray jubilantly.
"Except Dan. Where's he?" muttered Dave weakly, as he sat on
one of the side seats.
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