"You don't dare!"
"When you haven't anything to lose you'll do considerable to get 'hunks' and that's my fix. Besides, I need the money. Two minutes left—think fast."
"You'll sweat blood for this before I'm through with you!"
"Time's up—yes or no?"
Canby gritted his teeth.
Silently Wallie passed the end of the rope to Pinkey, who understood and took a turn around his saddle-horn.
Before he could resist Wallie gave Canby a shove and pushed him over the bank. He struck the water with a splash and went out of sight. Immediately the well-trained cow-horse felt the strain it backed up and held the rope taut.
Canby came to the surface, then dangled as the horse continued to hold off. As he strangled with the water he had taken in his lungs and struggled frantically in the air, it seemed beyond human belief that it was he, Canby—Canby the all-powerful—in such a plight!
"Pay out a little rope, Pinkey. Give the fish more line."
Once again Canby dropped back and came up gasping, coughing, fighting for his breath.