“It was your quickness, Merriwell,” declared Bleeker, “that saved the fellow. If he had been under water a minute or two longer, it would have been all day with him.”
“He’s all right,” said Frank diffidently, “and that’s the main thing. Has he opened his eyes yet?”
“He’s opening them now.”
Frank got up and walked to Lenning’s side. “How do you feel, Jode?” he inquired, staring down into his bewildered eyes.
Lenning shivered, and closed his eyes again.
CHAPTER XI.
THE SAVING GRACE.
For several minutes Jode Lenning continued to lie on the warm sand. He could not have been very comfortable, for his hat was gone and his clothes were soaking wet. Bleeker had removed his coat in order to work over him to better advantage, and Hotch now took the garment and wrung it out. But if Lenning was not comfortable, he was at least getting his strength back and beginning to feel more like himself.
When he next opened his eyes, he sat up suddenly and looked out over the shimmering expanse of water. His lips twitched with some passing emotion, and he finally withdrew his gaze and fixed it upon Bleeker.
“Did Shoup hit me over the head with his paddle?” he asked, in a low, colorless voice.