With the strength born of necessity they pushed and hauled the raft into the water and loaded their radio outfit on it. Then they plunged in themselves, and headed away from shore, swimming and pushing the raft before them.
CHAPTER XXI
PLUNGED IN THE LAKE
All the time that the Radio Boys had been working to construct the raft, Buck Looker had remained just where they had left him, never even offering to help. But now, when he saw the raft actually made and floating, he gave a yell and struck out for it.
“He’s not going to get on that raft,” muttered Bob, grimly. “He’s better off in the water, anyway. We’ll let him hang on with the rest of us, but if he gets on top he’s just crazy and mean enough to knock some of the radio stuff overboard.”
“It would be a pretty mean stunt, after we saved his life, but I know well enough that he’s capable of it,” said Joe. “We’ll have to keep him off, that’s all.”
By this time Buck was close to the raft.
“Keep off, Buck!” shouted Bob. “Hang on to the raft, if you want to, but don’t climb up on it.”
Either Buck did not hear him or he decided to ignore the warning. In a few more strokes he had reached one corner of the raft and started to climb aboard. His weight tilted the raft at a sharp angle, and some of the equipment started to slide down toward that end.
Joe was nearest to Buck, and he saw that there was not an instant to lose. He rapidly pulled himself along the side of the raft, and when he got within reach dealt Buck a blow that made him loose his grip on the raft. The clumsy structure returned to an even keel, while Buck snarled at the Radio Boys in anger and resentment.
“What are you trying to do, Joe Atwood—drown me?” he blustered. “If I was on dry land I’d make you feel sorry for hitting me that way.”