He remembered how he had first met her at a picnic at Fardale, and how pretty she had looked in her short pink dress. He remembered how on that very day, by a wonderful display of nerve and strength, he had saved her from being bitten by a mad dog. And after that—oh, she had thought him such a hero! She had worshiped him as her ideal of all that was brave and noble. All that seemed years and years ago.
And now—could he save her again? or was she to perish before he could reach her?
Nearer and nearer he swam.
Close behind Frank, Hodge was exerting every muscle.
“We’ll get to them, Merry!” he called, encouragingly. “We’ll pull them out all right. We are sure to—— They’ve gone down again!”
It was true!
“Merciful heavens!” came huskily from Frank’s lips. “I fear this is the last time!”
He swam on—he reached the spot where the girls had last been seen.
Where were they?
He looked around for them, but could see nothing of them.