But the girl paid no attention. Her eyes rolled horribly, and she continued to clutch at his throat.
Realizing that something must be done, the young gymnast resolved to duck the girl. He did so, and when she came up again she lay as limp as before. Ere she could recover he struck out for the boat.
Carl and Jack Hazlett were waiting for him, and quickly assisted him on board. Here the girl dropped upon the deck unconscious.
“My gracious, that’s the worst experience I ever had in my life!” panted Leo, as soon as he could speak. “I thought she was going to chew me up!”
“She’s got fits the worst way,” put in the boatman. “I’ll take her back to that steamboat.”
This was done. The girl’s father was anxiously awaiting their arrival, and, taking his daughter in his arms, he carried her into the cabin, where a stewardess waited upon her.
“I had her in a hospital,” he explained, “but they discharged her last week as being cured. You are a brave lad to save her.”
Leo smiled faintly.
“Thanks; but I don’t want the job again. Come on, Carl.”
He was about to go aboard the small boat again, when the fond father stopped him. Taking a ten-dollar bill from his pocketbook, he pressed it into the young gymnast’s hand.