“Hurry, Barney—hurry!” he tried to cry; but the words died in a hoarse gasp in his throat, causing the girl to turn her head to look at him.
“What is the matter?” she asked, in sudden alarm.
“Nothing,” he declared, faintly—“nothing at all.”
“Oh, I know there is! You are giving out!”
Then he saw she was liable to grasp him about the neck, which would be sure to sink them both, in which case he was certain they would never rise again.
“Don’t do it—if you wish to live, Inza,” he pleaded. “I can hold you a little longer if you do not touch me; but we shall go down if you grasp me.”
She was filled with fear, but something in his words and manner caused her to obey him fully.
Suddenly there was a wild shout of alarm from the boat, and Frank saw Barney making frantic gestures, while he urged the rowers to greater exertions.
Merriwell wondered what it meant. He saw Barney swing his arm and point away toward the channel.
As they arose to the crest of a swell, Frank saw something that sent his heart into his throat.