CHAPTER XXVI
THE SUCKER-HOLE
The swimmers were astonished to see Mr. Gordon coming on the run towardthem, with Paul at his heels.
But by that time the two who had been actively playing conquer with AndyFlinn began to notice something queer.
"He don't come up at all, sir; Andy's got us all beat to a frazzlestaying under!" one of them declared, as if surprised that the Irish ladcould hold his breath so long.
The words thrilled Paul, for he realized that his worst fears werelikely to be realized. And how glad he felt that there was some one elsethere now, capable of assuming the responsibility. Had the duty devolvedon him, not knowing the terrible peril of a sucker-hole, he might haveplunged straight in, to try and find Andy; when there would have beentwo victims, perhaps many more!
Mr. Gordon was quickly flinging one end of the rope toward Paul. He hadslipped the noose over his own body, securing it under his arms.
"If you feel any quick jerks pull hard!" he shouted.
The next instant, he had leaped from the bank. They saw him take agraceful header into the agitated water, where the boys were gathering.Then he vanished from their sight.
Paul clutched the rope and gathered in the slack. His heart was poundinglike mad with the anxiety, while he waited for results. If no signalcame after a certain lapse of time he meant to pull in anyway;determined that Mr. Gordon must not be sacrificed too.
"Get a grip here, some of you fellows!" he called, fearing lest he mightnot be able to manage alone.
Willing hands seized hold, and half a dozen hung to the rope. Every eyewas fastened on the surface of the water; but since the boys had troopedashore it was no longer agitated. Paul could see that wide circleforming a distinct swirl. He shuddered as he looked at it. Never againwould he ever watch a sweeping ring in the water without feeling acoldness in the region of his heart.
The terrible seconds passed. Some of the boys were as white as ghosts;and they shivered while standing there scantily clad.
"Oh! let's drag him back!" exclaimed William, who had hold next to Paul.
"Not yet. It isn't hardly half a minute, and Mr. Gordon can hold outlonger than that," Paul replied, firmly; though himself anxiouslycounting the seconds, because he knew he could never trust to ahaphazard guess.
"There! wasn't that a jerk?" asked Jud Elderkin; but the wish was fatherto the thought; and again Paul refused to be swerved from his plan ofaction.
Sighs were heard, and more than one groan. It required considerablefirmness on the part of the patrol leader to refrain, when every nervein his body seemed crying out in protest. But the time he had set as alimit had not yet expired.
Just as he was about to give in, he felt a sudden quick pull, followedby another.
"Now!" he called, in his excitement, and it was like the letting offsteam from an overcharged boiler.
How those fellows did pull upon that line! Paul had to caution them tobe careful, such was their eagerness to get the scoutmaster safely abovewater.
And when presently his figure arose, and they saw that he was carryingpoor Andy in his arms, such a shout as went up! Two fellows who had beenin camp all this while, resting in ignorance as to the thrilling eventthat was transpiring, came galloping along the shore to see what was up.
Mr. Gordon knew just how to get to work in order to revive Andy,providing he had not been under the water too long. His system was thesame as that used by Paul; indeed, it had been the scoutmaster who hadtaught Paul much of what he knew in the science of life saving.
After half an hour of hard work, during which the boys were greatlydepressed, success greeted their efforts. Andy was revived; but he hadhad even a closer call than Tom Betts. It was a very useful lesson toevery boy in camp, and one that they could profit by in future years.
"What did it feel like, Andy?" asked Mr. Gordon, after the rescued boyhad recovered enough to talk.
"Sure and I thought a great big giant had holt of me," Andy remarked,slowly and thoughtfully. "I tried me best to break away; but the harderI swum the tighter he grabbed me. I remimber trying to shout out forhelp, and swallowin' a quart of wather. Thin I didn't know anything atall till I opened me peepers right here, and saw yees all dancin' aroundme. But I don't go swimmin' in that old lake agin. It's enchanted,that's what it is."
When the secret of the unseen outlet of the lake was explained to Andy,he just smiled and shook his head. He had been down there, and ought toknow if there was a giant waiting to make a meal of plump boys. Norcould they ever convince Andy to the contrary; and it was noticed thathe did not go in bathing again during their stay.
After that, while swimming tests as well as those of diving, wereexpected to be indulged in every day during their stay in Camp Surprise,the boys would keep well away from the place where that steady swirl inthe water told of the treacherous sucker-hole.
Mr. Gordon's chief forte lay in water athletics. He was like a duckhimself, and never tired of teaching those boys who showed aninclination to learn. It was of vast importance to know just what oughtto be done should a swimmer be suddenly seized with a cramp while indeep water, and with no one near to help him.
Then he took pains to show them just how it was possible to break thefrenzied grip of a drowning person, that has so many times drawn awould-be rescuer down to a watery grave. Whether the grasp was upon thewrists, the neck, or around the body from the back, there was a simplemethod of shaking off the terrified one in order to clutch him unawares.
Talk or entreaty being impossible under such circumstances, immediateaction is the only way of accomplishing results. In the wrist hold theswimmer must suddenly raise his arms and sink, eluding the other'sclutch as he goes down. When clasped about the neck it is necessary toraise the knees and give a sudden and powerful thrust forward thatforces the other away.
"That grip on the back has always been the most difficult to manage, forme at least," the instructor continued, while explaining the variousmethods by actual demonstration, in the water; "sometimes you can takehold of the wrists that are clasped around you, and by pushing with allyour force backward, find a chance to slip out from the threateningembrace."
"But suppose that fails?" observed Jack, who, as a good swimmer, waseagerly listening to all that was said, and endeavoring to profit by theadvice.
The scoutmaster shrugged his shoulders at this question.
"Well," he said gravely, "under such conditions there remains but onemethod. It sounds cruel, but remember that two lives are at stake.Heroic measures alone can save one, and give the other a chance. Throwback your head suddenly with considerable force. You will come incontact with his nose, and give him a shock that is likely to sounsettle him that you can break away, and turn around."
He even showed the boys how this could be done, without, of course,bringing into play the roughest part of the rescue act.
If every Boy Scout only learned these simple rules for rescuing acomrade without running much risk himself, dozens and scores of preciouslives might be saved every Summer.
As evening came on, and preparations were being made to have a rousingsupper, in order to celebrate the arrival of the scoutmaster, Mr. Gordonand Paul separated themselves from the rest of the campers to talkmatters over.
"One thing is sure, Paul," remarked Mr. Gordon, with a look of grimdetermination; "we must make certain that there is no repetition of lastnight's bombardment."
"You mean the Slavin crowd, sir, I take it?" observed the patrol leader.
"Yes," went on Mr. Gordon; "and I commend your plan for nipping such athing in the bud. Of course it's a shame that we are not allowed to campup here in peace. But those fellows need a good lesson before they'llcall quits, and go back home. I've made up my mind just what ought to bedone in the matter."
"You know," said Paul, "I suggested having several of our scouts locatedup on the side of the mountain, with plenty of ammunition handy; andwhen the first stone is thrown, they could send a volley right at thespot where
they discover the others at work."
"A good idea, too," commented the scoutmaster, readily, "and one we willput into operation; but even that does not strike at the root of thematter. If we are disturbed to-night, or at any other time by thoseunruly boys, I shall organize an expedition on the very next morning, tosearch the side of the mountain back of us, in the hope of finding wherethey have their headquarters."
"We have made up our minds that it must be in a cave. I understand themountain is fairly honeycombed with them in parts, Mr. Gordon."
"I have no doubt that will prove to be the case," continued the leaderof the troop; "since you say they brought no tents along, and not verymuch to eat. And should we find out where they are located I am going tomanage in some way to make them lose what few provisions they have. Thatis the quickest way in the world to subdue a hostile army; capture theirbase of supplies."
"You mean they will have to go back home, or stay hungry?" laughed Paul;"well, I never thought of that, and must say it is fine. I don't thinkyou'll have any trouble about getting recruits for that expedition. Thefact is, every fellow will want to be in the party."
"Then we'll choose those we want," said Mr. Gordon, "and make the restguard the camp, which might be raided by the angry Slavin crowd, whenthey learned what was on the carpet. But Paul, that odor in the airsmells very appetizing. I imagine our cooks must be doing themselvesproud to-night. It will be hard to wait for the assembly call. Look atour William putting on airs with that chef's white cap cocked over hisears. Oh! this is certainly worth while coming for. What's that,Bobolink picking up his bugle? I really believe supper is ready. Howglad I am to be here to-night. Come, Paul, and let us see what sort offare the Stanhope troop can offer us."
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