This treatment was effective in a measure, for Budge opened his eyes. Then he exclaimed:
“Don’t—don’t drown me!”
“Budge! Budge!” cried Jack. “Do you feel better?”
But the lad’s eyes closed again, and Jack feared that it was but a momentary reviving. He chafed the lad’s hands again, and tried to force some cold water from the river between his set teeth.
Then Nat came running back, bearing a medicine box, which Mr. Ranger had insisted that Jack take with him. Long Gun, Sam and Bony followed.
Jack took out a bottle of ammonia, and held it beneath the nose of Budge. The powerful liquid fumes made Budge gasp, and he struggled to sit up.
“Hi! quit!” he called. “Don’t burn me!” For the ammonia stung him.
“Oh, he isn’t dead!” cried Nat, much relieved.
“Pretty soon be all right,” said Long Gun, who had been told what had happened. “Plenty much fresh air make um well.”
And he seemed to be right, for presently Budge sat up, opened his eyes, and began feeling in his pockets.