Those two men longed to see the brave lad go down amid the swirling timbers.
Still Merry came on, not even seeming to be in the least bewildered by the peril of his situation.
“He’ll make it!”
“Good boy!”
“Well done!”
“Hurrah! hurrah!”
The men began to shout encouragement now, for Frank was getting near the shore. They ran down the bank, for the moving jam had carried Merriwell with the current.
Bart Hodge was in advance. He ran to the very edge of the jam, and, as Frank bounded forward, caught hold of him and drew him ashore. Then Hodge grasped Merry’s hand and wrung it in a manner that told how overjoyed and thankful he was, although his lips were unable to utter a word.
Diamond was next, and, in his impetuous manner, he actually embraced Merriwell.
“We thought you were gone!” said the Virginian, his voice shaking.