Merriwell opened his eyes, and something like a faint smile came to his drawn face.
“It’s all right, boys!” he said. “You did a good job!”
“An’ it’s yersilf that did another, Frankie,” declared Barney. “But fer yez th’ young lady would be at th’ botthom of the say now.”
They rowed back, carrying the rescued youth and maiden.
Inza remained in an exhausted condition, but Frank began to recover soon after being drawn into the boat.
A large crowd had gathered on the beach, for the four girls were not the only bathers, and nearly a hundred people had come to the beach for pleasure that afternoon.
When Frank and Inza came ashore the crowd cheered again, and the boys who belonged to Merriwell’s party rushed to embrace him.
Toots was so overjoyed that he fell on his knees and hugged Frank’s legs, laughing and crying in a hysterical manner.
“Oh, Marser Frank!” he said; “I done fought yo’ was a goner one time fo’ suah! I nebber suspected to see yo’ no moah, Marser Frank! Bress de good Lawd—bress His name!”
Frank was hugged and his hand was shaken till he began to push them off, laughing and remonstrating.