"Oh, that's all right," sang out a boy in the freshman class.
"But the main thing is to hustle back and be ready to take Dick
Prescott."
"And I'll pray all through the round trip that you may get Prescott back to shore alive," fervently replied the driver, as he brought the whip down across the horse's back.
Dave Darrin, too, was chilled. That was why, when he had drawn all the rope in and had coiled it, he made a throw that fell short.
"Courage, Dick, old fellow," he shouted. "I'll get it to you, in a jiffy."
Nervously, quickly, Dave hauled in the rope. He coiled rapidly, yet with care.
"Now, may Heaven give me the strength to throw this coil far enough to do the trick!" prayed Dave Darrin, as he made the second cast.
There was frenzy behind that throw. Hurrah! There was four feet of rope to spare as it splashed into the open part where Dick still hung, though he was fast weakening.
"There's a noose on the end—-I fixed it, Dick! Get it over your head and under your shoulders!" bawled Dave Darrin.
It was only the coolness of a last desperate hope that enabled the freshman to adjust the noose sufficiently.
"All r-r-r-i-ight!" he called, unable to make any further effort to stop the rattling of his teeth.