“Maybe he’s killed!” gasped Andy. “He got struck pretty hard.”
“Oh, don’t say that!” gasped Coulter, and he went white with fear.
All of the boys in the water swam to the spot, and presently Jack and Dale caught sight of Hogan, near the bottom of the lake. They dove down and brought him up. He was unconscious and had swallowed considerable water. He could not aid himself and the others took him ashore.
“This is the worst trick yet,” said Jack, after Emerald had given a gasp and opened his eyes. “How do you feel, old man?”
It was several seconds before the Irish cadet could reply. In the meantime, very much disturbed, Ritter and Coulter had beached their boat and joined the group surrounding the sufferer.
“I—er—I lost control of the boat at the last minute,” said the bully lamely. “I didn’t mean to hit anybody. I was only going to scare you.”
“It was done on purpose! I saw it,” answered Andy firmly.
“See here, Andy Snow, you say that again and I’ll knock you down!” cried Ritter fiercely.
“You have got to spell Able first,” was the acrobatic youth’s reply, as he doubled up his fists.
“Whe—where is that spalpeen, Ritter?” came unsteadily from Hogan. “Where is he, I say?” And he staggered to his feet. There was a slight cut on his neck, from which the blood was flowing.