The poles were each some twenty feet long, and his heart sank when he realized that there was that depth of water. He was able now, by putting both feet on the end of the pole, to rest himself a little, but he was obliged also to keep Cox’s head up above the water. He wondered if Cox were dead. His face was white and his eyes were closed. Would no one ever come?
He dared not loosen his hold either of the rope or of his school-fellow. He felt faint! He could not see distinctly! Everything was fading away!
Suddenly the pole slipped a few inches. This roused him again. He determined that he would not let his burden go, come what might.
“Hold on, Davidson,” cried out King. “Mr. Cottenham is here with a stout rope.”
Alfred clung desperately to the rope and to Harry Cox, who was still unconscious, the dead weight of his burden nearly dragging his arms but of their sockets. At last, looking up, he saw a dark figure descending. Could he hold on a few seconds more? Again everything became dim; he thought he heard a noise, and then he became unconscious.
Mr. Cottenham had brought two long pieces of rope, which he had fastened to two posts; by one he descended, and the second he had ready to put round one of the boys. Walter Parker and Steve Gray had come with him, and together with King they awaited the signal to haul up. Just as he reached Alfred, the boy’s eyes seemed fixed, and then they closed, and with a sigh he fell into the chemist’s stout arms. He grasped both of the boys with his free arm, and then, getting a footing on the sunken pole, he managed to fasten the cord round Alfred, and shouted to the boys above to pull away.
In a few minutes he saw Alfred landed safely, and again they lowered the rope. With less difficulty he secured it round Harry Cox, and as soon as he saw him fairly up, he climbed up himself.
Harry Cox’s eyes were open, and he stared wildly round. Mr. Cottenham, after bandaging Alfred’s head, seized Cox in his arms, while Walter took Alfred, and they walked as rapidly as possible towards the cottage hospital, which was not very far distant.
In a few minutes both boys were put to bed and attended by the doctor.
“A narrow escape this,” he said to Mr. Cottenham, who was assisting him in restoring animation to the boys.