"Begorrah! we can walk and talk, as the owld lady said when her husband stopped on the way to the gallows to bid her good-by. So paddle away!"
It being a warm summer night, the water was quite pleasant, although our friends were sure to get enough of it long before they could hope to place their feet upon the earth. Having now an object, they began working with a will, the boys swimming as lustily as possible straight for the shore, while Tim assisted materially in pushing forward the craft.
The intelligent Newfoundland appeared to comprehend what was wanted, and contributed not a little to the momentum.
"Do you think we are making any progress——"
"O, save me! save me! I'm drowning!"
The voice sounded close by them, and caused an involuntary start from all three.
"Where is he?" asked Howard, in a terrified whisper.
"There!"
At that moment they caught sight of a man fiercely buffeting the waves, as he rose on an immense swell, and then sunk down again in the trough of the sea.
"Can we do anything for him?" asked Elwood. "It's too bad to see the poor fellow sink when we may save him."