“He’s caught! I can’t bring him up!” gasped Spouter. “He’s caught on a tree limb, I guess.”
“Shove that boat back!” ordered Gif, and then reached out with his oar to hold the craft in check, for the upturned boat was being driven by the wind directly over the spot where Randy and Spouter were struggling.
It was certainly a critical moment, and no one understood it better than did Jack. The tree had bobbed around, and for a few seconds Randy’s head had come to the surface, giving him a chance for fresh air. Then the tree had settled once more and poor Randy’s head had disappeared as before. Jack hesitated only an instant, and then sprang into the lake beside Spouter.
“What is it, Spouter? Can you make out?” he questioned quickly. “Is his arm or part of his body caught, or is it only his clothing?”
“It’s his arm. It’s twisted around one of the tree limbs,” gasped the other.
Taking a deep breath, Jack allowed himself to sink down. He felt around in the darkness under water and found Randy’s free arm. The boy was doing his best to liberate the other arm, which was held tightly in a crotch of the submerged tree. Close beside the limb was a sharp rock, and the force of the overturning tree was holding Randy against this.
“I’ve got to get him out somehow,” thought the young major, and, pressing himself against the rock, he pushed with all his might on the tree limb, trying to force it back. Then he gave his cousin’s body a shove. Then, unable to hold his breath longer, he came to the surface.
As Jack did this the body of Randy appeared two yards away. He was all but overcome when Spouter went to the rescue, followed by Fred. Between them they managed to hoist the gasping youth into one of the boats. Then they got into another craft, and Jack did likewise.