But now it looked as though he would be lost, after all. Below the race the water was most boisterous—and there were many jagged rocks. If he was drawn through the race he would be seriously injured on the rocks, if not drowned.
The bright-minded girl saw all this in those few seconds. She scrambled down the steep bank, clutching at the chauffeur’s ankle as she went.
“You’ll have to hold both of us for a minute!” she cried.
“Go ahead! I understand!” he returned, swaying his body back as he clung to the stout cord, and digging his heels into the bank.
Nancy hung over the swift current and stretched her right hand down to the boy.
“Get hold! Grab me!” she called, gaspingly.
“I—I’ll pull you in,” he replied, in a strangled tone.
“Do what I tell you!” she cried, angrily.
She flung herself farther out just as his left arm was unhooked from the inflated tire. She seized his wrist; he had presence of mind enough to seize hers in return.
“Let go of the tire!” she sang out to the chauffeur, and he obeyed.