Bert Wilson's Fadeaway Ball

by Mrs. Molesworth

  CHAPTER IX

  A GALLANT RESCUE

  "Say, fellows, what have you got on hand for to-day?" asked Tom, as heburst into the "sanctum-sanctorum," as Bert and Dick called their room,and sank into an easy chair.

  "Nothing," said Bert, turning from a not too promising survey of thesurrounding country, "absolutely and emphatically nothing! This promisesto be one of the slowest days in my short and brilliant career----"

  "Hear, hear!" cried Tom from the depths of his chair. "That's fine for astarter, old top. Keep it up and perhaps you can actually persuade usthat you amount to something. It's rather a hopeless task, but itwouldn't do any harm to try."

  "You're such a bonehead that you don't recognize real worth when you seeit," Bert retorted, good-naturedly. "There's another one," he added,pointing to Dick, who was trying to figure out a calculus problem. "Heprefers grinding in calculus to listening to an interesting tale of mytrials and tribulations."

  "It isn't a question of preference, it's a case of dire necessity," Dicksighed, despondently. "If only I hadn't cut class the other day I wouldbe all right, but as it is I'll have to cram to make up for it. Oh, if Ionly had the fellow who invented calculus here, I'd----" and in theabsence of anything better Dick pulled his own mop of tangled hair andapplied himself furiously to the solving of what he called "anunsolvable problem."

  "Poor old chap, never mind," consoled Tom. "When I come back to-nightwith old Pete under my arm I'll tell you just how I caught him."

  "Do you mean to say that you are going fishing for old Pete to-day?"Dick asked, forgetting all about calculus in his excitement.

  "Sure," Tom replied, placidly. "Didn't we agree that the first clearSaturday we had off we'd take for our fishing trip?"

  "So we did, but that was so long ago that I'd clean forgotten it. Whydidn't you remind us of it sooner, Tom? You would have spared me a lotof useless worry as to how I was going to spend a baseball-less day."

  "I didn't think of it myself until I came into the room," Tom admitted,"but I suppose Dick can't go with us now. It's too bad he cut the otherday," he added, with a sly glance at the discarded calculus.

  "Don't let it worry you," Dick retorted. "Do you suppose that anythingin earth could keep me from hunting Old Pete to-day, now that you havebrought him so forcibly to my mind? Go on down and get your tackle, Tom.Bert and I will join you in no time."

  "But, really, Dick," Tom protested, with mock severity, "don't yourealize that duty----"

  "Get out before I put you out," roared Dick, making a dash for Tom, whopromptly disappeared through the door.

  "Since you insist," laughed the fugitive through the keyhole, "meet meon the campus in half an hour."

  "We'll be there with bells on," said Bert and Dick with one voice, andat once began their preparations for the trip.

  As Dick put the calculus back on the shelf, he said, halfapologetically, "I'll see you to-night, old fellow."

  * * * * *

  Half an hour later, the trio were swinging rapidly down the road,carrying their fishing poles and tackle. This was an outing that theyhad planned for early in the season, but up to this time they had had noopportunity to carry it out. Nearly every Saturday they had had extrabaseball practice, or something unexpected had come up, but now at lastthey had their chance and were only too anxious to take advantage ofit. Besides them was Pete.

  Old Pete was a huge pickerel who was sly and wary beyond the general runof fishes. Many a confident angler had come to the lake, absolutelycertain of his ability to land the big fellow, only to return, sheepishand crestfallen, to acknowledge his defeat.

  So it was no wonder that our fellows were excited at the prospect of agame of hide-and-seek with the biggest and most cunning of the pickerelfamily.

  "Just think," Bert was saying, "what it will mean if we land him. Almostall the other fellows in college have tried it without success, and ifwe could manage to bring back Old Pete we would be popular heroes."

  "I know, but there's not much chance of that," Tom sighed. "If old SiPerkins couldn't catch him napping, I'm afraid we can't."

  "Never say die, Tom," Dick said, gaily. "A day like this makes you feelequal to anything."

  "So say I," Bert added, heartily. "Say, do you see that mill in front ofus? Well, that belongs to Herr Hoffmeyer, and it's one of the classiestlittle mills I ever saw."

  "It sure is working some, but where do they get the power?" Dick asked.

  "Why, there's a dam right back of the mill. You can't see it from here,but when we get a little nearer I'll point it out to you. See," headded, as they neared the mill, "isn't that a great arrangement.Alongside the mill there is a narrow, deep sluice. In this is arranged alarge paddle wheel and, as the water rushes through, it acts on thepaddles and turns the wheel. By a system of cogs the power is thentransmitted to the grinding stone."

  "That sure is fine," said Tom. "I don't know that I have ever had achance to see a working mill at such close range. Just look how thewater rushes through that sluice. I wouldn't like to get in the way."

  "Nor I," said Dick. "The current must be very strong the other side ofthe dam."

  "You bet your life it is. If anybody should get caught in it, I wouldn'tgive that," snapping his fingers, "for his chance of life."

  At this moment a bald-headed, red-faced man appeared at the door ofthe mill. He regarded the boys with a broad smile on his face as hecarefully dusted his hands on his white apron.

  "Goot morning, young shentlemens," he said, affably. "Fine morning, finemorning, fine morning," and after each repetition of this sentiment heshook his head vigorously and his smile became broader.

  "It is, indeed, sir," Bert said. "We stopped for a moment to see yourmill in operation. It's a very fine mill," he added.

  "Yah, yah," the big miller assented, cheerfully, "it's a very goot mill.For over five year now by me it has worked. Von't you step on theinsides for a minute, young shentlemens?"

  "Sure thing," said Tom. "Come on, fellows. It isn't often you get achance to see a real mill working. Old Pete can wait, I guess," and so,led by the good-natured Herr Hoffmeyer, the trio entered the mill.

  For the better part of an hour they wandered around to their hearts'content. The miller showed the working of the mill wheels, and led theway into every nook and cranny, explaining as they went.

  At last, when they had seen everything there was to be seen, the boysthanked their host heartily, and started on their way once more. Beforethey rounded a bend in the road, they turned for a last look at themill. At the door stood their erstwhile host, honest, round face shininglike the moon, while the rays of the sun glanced off in little goldendarts from the smooth surface of his bald head.

  "Well, that was some adventure," Bert exclaimed. "I've always wanted tosee the inside of a mill, and now I've realized my heart's desire."

  "I like Herr Hoffmeyer, too," Tom said, "even if I did think he was atrifle weak in the head at first. Isn't this the pickerel stream?" heasked, a minute later.

  "Yes, but the fellows say that the big pickerel is further down thestream. Come along." With these words, Bert led them down the bank untilthey reached a shady spot, shaded by spreading trees, and carpeted withgreen and velvety moss.

  "This place looks good to me," said Dick; "let's camp here."

  "I guess this ought to be about right," Bert agreed.

  In a few minutes the reels were fixed, the hooks were baited, and thelines were lowered carefully into the clear depths of the stream.

  "This is what you might call comfort," said Tom, as he leaned lazilyagainst a convenient tree.

  "Bet your life," Bert agreed.

  "Now, if Pete will only consent to come along and get the hook, like anyother respectable, right-minded fish, my contentment would be absolute."

  "Huh," Tom grunted sarcastically. "He'd be likely to do that, wouldn'the, especially if you keep up this gabfest?"

  "I guess a little polite conversation won't scare that
wary oldreprobate. I imagine he's heard so much conversation that couldn't becalled exactly polite, especially when he calmly detaches the bait fromthe hook without stopping to leave his card, that he wouldn't mind ourtalk at all."

  "Shut up," said Tom, in a low voice, "I've got a bite, and the line'spulling hard."

  Then, amid a breathless silence, Tom gave a quick, experienced pull tothe line, and landed--not the renowned old Pete, but a small-sizedsunfish, that wriggled and twisted desperately in its efforts to getaway.

  At this minute Bert happened to glance at Tom's face, and the look hefound there was so eloquent of absolute dismay and chagrin, that heburst into a shout of uncontrollable laughter, in which Dick joined him.

  "That was sure one on you, old man," he said, when he had breath enough.

  "Humph," Tom grunted, disgustedly, "it sure was a sell. I thought I hadold Pete cinched that time. However," he added, "I don't see that youfellows have much to say. You haven't even caught a sunfish."

  "Not so you could notice it," Dick agreed cheerfully. "There's plenty oftime yet, though, and all things come to him who waits. I'm right on thejob, when it comes to waiting."

  Bert, who had been thinking his own thoughts, suddenly broke into theconversation with an irrelevant "Say, fellows, did you ever hear thestory of the man who went for a sail on a windy day----"

  "And a man coming out of the cabin asked him," Tom broke in, "if themoon had come up yet, and he answered, 'No, but everything else has'?Yes, we've heard that old chestnut cracked before."

  "Well, it just struck me," Bert mused, "that it fitted your case prettywell."

  "I suppose it does, in a way," Tom admitted, "but you just wait and seeif I don't land that old rascal before night."

  "Go in and win, my boy, and take my blessing. It doesn't make muchdifference who does the catching so long as he is caught," Dick said,and once more leaned his broad back against the tree with a sigh ofcontent.

  But into Tom's head had come a scheme, and he determined to carry it outat the very first opportunity. For a long time the trio sat on thegrassy bank, listening to the myriad indescribable sounds of spring.They watched the gorgeous butterfly as it winged its lazily graceful wayfrom blossom to blossom, and heard the buzzing of the bee as it invadedthe heart of flowerland, and stole its nectar. The perfumed air, hotfrom the touch of the sun, stole upon their senses, and made themdelightfully lazy.

  Suddenly, Bert gave a jerk to his line and landed a fair-sized pickerel.Their luck had changed, and in a short time they had a very good mess offish. But the great pickerel seemed farther from showing himself thanever.

  Tom landed the next fish, but, instead of taking it off the hook, hethrew the line, fish, and all back into the water.

  "What's that for?" Dick asked. "We have plenty of bait left, and there'sno use in wasting a perfectly good fish."

  "Wait," Tom remarked, laconically.

  They had not long to wait, however, for in a few minutes there wasanother jerk on Tom's line.

  "Catch hold, fellows," Tom cried, "and help me pull. Gee, I can't holdit, much less pull it in."

  Intensely excited, Dick added his strength to Tom's and pulled hard.

  "Pull, pull!" Tom cried, almost crazy with excitement. "We can't losehim now. Come on! Come on!--now!"

  And with one concerted effort they pulled the line up, falling over oneanother in their attempt to keep their balance. And there, at theirfeet, was the largest pickerel they had ever seen--old Pete. Quick as aflash, Tom landed on the prize, just in time to keep it from slippingback into the water.

  "Look at him, look at him, fellows!" Tom shouted. "Here's old Pete, thebiggest pickerel in the world, the wary old codger that has defied everyfisherman for miles around, and has even eluded the deadly machinationsof Si Perkins. Don't stand there like wooden statues--come here and helpme unhook this old reprobate. Why don't you say something?"

  "For the very good reason," Bert answered, drily, "that you haven'tgiven us a chance. And for the second reason, I am so dazed I can'trealize our good fortune."

  "Our good fortune," Tom repeated, scornfully. "You mean my brains andcommon sense. Who thought of putting that fish back into the water tofool old Pete, I'd like to know?"

  "You did, and we are perfectly willing to give you all the credit," saidBert. "The really important thing is that he's caught. I can hardlybelieve it yet. Isn't he a beauty?" he added, enthusiastically. "Look atthe length of him, and the thickness---- Say, fellows, I bet we couldfeed the whole college on him for a month."

  "I shouldn't wonder," Bert laughed. "I, for one, have never seen hisequal, and never expect to again."

  "What's that?" Tom demanded, sharply, as a cry of terror rent the air."Let's find out."

  "It sounded further down the stream, near the mill. Come on, fellows.Hurry!" and Bert instinctively took command, as he always did in casesof emergency.

  As the boys burst through the bushes further down, the cry came again,a wild call for help, and they saw a white clad figure strugglingdesperately against the force of the current.

  With a shout of encouragement Bert plunged into the water, and with long,powerful strokes was nearing the spot where the girl had disappeared.Once more the figure rose to the surface, but Bert knew it was for thelast time. The girl was terribly close to the sluice, and as Bert swam hefelt the tug of the current.

  Just as the girl was about to go under, Bert caught her dress and pulledher to the surface. But how, how, could he swim with his burden againstthe current to the bank, which seemed to him a hundred miles off!

  With resolute courage he mustered his strength and began the strugglewith that merciless current. One stroke, two, three,--surely he wasgaining, and a great wave of joy and hope welled up in his heart. He_must_ make it, for not only was his life at stake, but the life of theyoung girl dependent upon his success. But it became harder and harderto make headway, and finally he realized that he was barely holding hisown--that he had to exert all his remaining strength to prevent themboth from being drawn through the sluice to a cruel death below.

  Desperately he strove to push against that mighty wall of water, that,like some merciless giant, was forcing him and his helpless burden, inchby inch, to destruction. In the agony of his soul a great cry of despairbroke from his lips. "It will all be over soon," he muttered. "Iwouldn't care so much for myself, but the girl," and he looked down atthe pale face and dark, tangled hair of the girl he was giving his lifeto save. They were very, very close to the entrance of the sluice now,and nearing it more swiftly every moment. But what was that black objectcoming toward them so rapidly?

  "Bert, Bert, keep up your courage. I'm coming!" cried Dick's voice."I'll be with you in a minute. Just a minute, old fellow."

  Oh, could Dick reach them in time. Bert could only pray for strength tohold on for a few minutes. He was very near them now, and shoutingencouragement at every stroke. Now he was beside them, and had taken thegirl from Bert's nerveless grasp. "Here, take this rope, old fellow," hecried, "put it over your head, quick. That's the way. Now let thefellows on shore pull you in."

  Bert wondered afterward why he had not felt any great exultation athis sudden and almost miraculous deliverance. As it was, only agreat feeling of weariness settled down upon him, and he wanted tosleep--sleep. Then the sky came down to meet the earth, and everythingwent black before his eyes.

  * * * * *

  "Bert, dear old Bert, wake up. You're safe. You're safe. Don't you hearme, old fellow?" a voice at a great distance was saying, and Bert openeduncomprehending eyes on a strange world.

  "Hello, fellows," he said, with the ghost of his old smile. "Came prettynear to 'shuffling off this mortal coil,' didn't I? Where is----" heasked, looking around, inquiringly.

  "The girl you so bravely rescued?" came a sweet voice behind him. "Andwho never, never can repay you for what you have done to-day if shelives forever?"

  With the assistance of his friends Bert got to his f
eet and faced thegirl who had so nearly gone to her death with him. For the first time inhis life he felt embarrassed.

  "Please don't thank me," he said; "I'm repaid a thousandfold when I seeyou standing there safe. It might so easily have been the other way,"and he shuddered at the thought.

  Before the girl could answer, another figure strode forth and graspedour hero's hand in both of his.

  "Professor Davis," Bert exclaimed, as he recognized one of the collegeprofessors.

  "Yes, it's Mr. Davis, Bert, and he owes you a debt of gratitude he cannever cancel. Bert, it was my daughter you rescued from a hideous deathto-day, and, dear boy, from this day, you can count on me for anythingin the world."

  "Thank you, Professor; I don't deserve all this----"

  "Yes, you do, my boy--every bit of it and more, and now," he added,seeing that the strain was telling on Bert, "I think you, Dick, and Tomhad better get Bert home as quickly as you can. This daughter of mineinsisted on staying until you revived, but I guess she will excuse you,now. I'd ask you to take supper with us to-night, but I know that whatyou most need is rest. It is only a pleasure deferred, however."

  As they turned to go, the girl held out her hands to Tom and Dick, andlastly to Bert. "I am very, very grateful," she said, softly.

  "And I am very, very grateful that I have been given a chance to serveyou," he answered, and watched her disappear with her father through thebushes.

  Then he turned to Dick and Tom. "You fellows deserve more credit than I,a thousand times more," he said, in a voice that was a trifle husky.

  "Huh," said Tom, "all that I did was to run to the nearest house for arope, and all Dick did was to hand you the rope, while Professor Davisand I hauled you in."

  "Yes, that's all," Bert repeated, softly, "that's all."

  "Well, come on, Bert, it's time you got back to college. I guess you'reabout all in," said Dick, putting his arm through Bert's and startingoff in the direction of the college.

  "Say, you forgot something," Tom said, suddenly. "You forgot all aboutold Pete."

  "So we did," Dick exclaimed; "suppose you go and get the fish and poles,if they are still there, and join us at the crossing."

  And they did meet at the crossing, and jogged along home, their bodiestired, but their hearts at rest, while their friendship was welded stillmore strongly by one other experience, shared in common.