It lay close to the thoroughfare at this point; indeed, passersby had always been in the habit of pulling up right there to admire the magnificent view up and down the romantic looking stream.
HE WAVED HIS HAT IN ORDER TO MAKE THE HORSE SHEER.
Columbia High on the Diamond. Page [108].
Horse and vehicle shot over the bank, and with a terrific splash vanished in the swirling water. It seemed too bad that necessity compelled the sacrifice of that much admired red dress, Frank thought, but there was no other way.
“They’ll drown! Oh! my, what a splash! Frank, run! run!”
It was folly for Ralph to shout after this fashion, for his companion was on the jump even before the horse had touched the surface of the river. Frank had eyes for only one thing, and that the figure of Minnie.
As he ran he saw the vehicle behind the swimming horse. Lef was hanging to it desperately, as badly frightened a boy as ever lived; for, strange to say, he could not swim a stroke, having a mortal dread of water.
He was trying to yell something, but had swallowed so much of the river that his words were next to unintelligible. But Frank had by now discovered another struggling figure a little back of the vehicle and horse.
“It’s Minnie!” was what his white lips framed as he madly jumped down the bank, tearing off his coat as he went. How he ever managed to free his feet from the low shoes he was wearing, Frank never knew, for he had not the faintest recollection of doing anything of this sort.
Now he was in the river, and swimming with all his power toward that splashing form which, because of the glimpses he had of the bright color, he knew must be the imperiled girl. Her dress seemed to be helping her to keep afloat, though this would only last for a minute or so, when it must become soaked, and serve to drag her down.