A moment before the sharp prow of the steam launch struck Buckhart’s Sallie, Dick realized the collision could not be averted, rose to his feet, and made a headlong dive into the water. His action was not seen by Buckhart, whose eyes were fastened on the launch.
Understanding the danger of being hit by the whirling propeller of the launch, Merriwell dove as deep as possible. With powerful strokes he swam some distance beneath the water. When compelled to rise to the surface, he turned his head and found that the launch had passed over him and was some distance away.
He wondered what had become of Brad and looked around in vain for some sign of his companion. Near at hand swung a vessel at anchor. Toward this Dick swam, reaching its side and seizing a hawser which dangled to the water’s edge.
As he clung there in the deep shadow of the vessel he discovered that the launch had slackened its speed and was swinging round on its course. Across the intervening water came the sound of excited voices. Brad Buckhart was hotly denouncing the fellows who had cut down the rowboat.
A great wave of relief swept over Dick, for he knew now that in some manner the Texan had escaped and was on board the launch.
Dick’s first inclination was to raise a shout and announce that he also was safe and unharmed. This was suppressed almost instantly by a desire to wait and see what would happen, and so, clinging to the hawser there in the dark shadow of the vessel with only his head above the surface of the water, the boy watched and listened.
Like Brad, Merriwell believed the rowboat had been cut down by deliberate intent. On discovering that Lynch and Ditson were aboard the launch, this belief became a fixed certainty in Dick’s mind.
The launch slid slowly past, with Buckhart vainly straining his eyes for some glimpse of his chum.
“It’s awfully tough on Brad,” thought Dick; “but I’m more than willing those other fellows should think I’ve been drowned. If they have a conscience, it ought to prick them a little.”
Pulling at the hawser, he found that it was secure, and when the launch had passed he lost little time in lifting himself up by the rope, hand over hand, and, rolling over the rail of the vessel, dropped to the deck.