“He’s coming round so quick,” said Merry. “We’ll have him all right in short order.”
Now Welch groaned and choked in a most distressing manner. The boys knew he was suffering fearful tortures, but they kept at work till he ceased to expel water. Then Frank placed him in a position to breathe easily, and they saw him staring up at them with wide-open eyes.
“You are all right,” said Merry; “but it was a close shave.”
“Oh!” groaned Welch; “I’d rather die than go through that again! How did I get here?”
“You got here by being brought by Frank Merriwell,” said Hodge, scowling at Welch. “He risked his life to save you from drowning, and you didn’t deserve it.”
Welch said nothing for some moments, but seemed trying to collect his scattered wits. At last he asked:
“Where is Bunker?”
“The man you were with?”
“Yes.”
“He skipped into the swamp somewhere.”