“He’s in trouble!” said Andy.
“Go slow—or somebody else may get into trouble, too,” cautioned the young major.
Slackening their pace, the crowd approached the clump of bushes and passed around to one side. They then saw what had caused Coulter to cry for assistance.
On the other side of the bushes was a big swamp hole, filled with muck, dead leaves and water. In his anxiety to escape Gus Coulter had plunged into the swamp hole and was now up to his waist and rapidly sinking.
“Ge—get m—me out, somebody!” he gasped. “Quick, or I’ll—I’ll go down an—and be smothered!”
The others saw that Coulter’s plight was serious and something must be done to save him.
“I’ve got it!” cried Andy, as he looked around. “I reckon I can get him out.”
“How?” questioned Pepper.
“Wait—I’ll show you.”
The acrobatic youth ran to a big tree growing close to the edge of the swamp. He climbed up with marvellous rapidity, and then worked his way out on a branch that grew over Coulter’s head.