"You've killed him!" cried Sammy hoarsely.
"He had no right to attack me," answered Robert. "But he is not dead yet, and I think we can get him ashore if we hurry."
He leaped from the dock into the nearest boat. As he cast off he looked at the others, expecting one or more to follow him to the rescue, but nobody volunteered. Nearly all were too dazed to act.
Snipper had gone down, and when he came up it was fully twenty feet from where the boat rode. Seizing an oar, Robert paddled toward the unfortunate youth.
"Keep up!" he cried encouragingly. "I will help you in half a minute!"
Bob Snipper saw Robert approaching and it gave him a little hope. He had forgotten all about how badly he had treated our hero. He made a clutch at the oar Robert extended toward him, and having secured a firm hold was quickly drawn aboard of the rowboat.
"Now, I guess you are all right," said Robert, who was hardly excited at all.
"I--I--suppose I am," gasped the bully's toady. "I--I--am much obliged to you for hauling me out of the water."
"So you got him out, eh?" remarked Sammy, as Robert paddled back to the dock.
"Yes."