"We are going to run into him!" gasped Randy.
"No, he is going to run into us."
"It will amount to the same thing—so far as he is concerned."
"Maybe—but it will be his fault if he gets drowned."
Another warning whistle now rang out, but was of no avail. The sloop swerved again and then came squarely up to the big steamboat, which was now backing water furiously.
"Stop! Don't run me down!" screamed Bob Bangs. He was fairly white with terror.
His cries were cut short by the crash as the sloop struck. The bow was splintered, and the shock threw Bob Bangs overboard. Luckily he was far enough away to escape the paddle-wheel, as the Helen Shalley continued to go ahead despite the fact that her engines had been reversed.
The first surprise over, Randy was quick to act. Not far away was a life preserver having a line attached to it and this he took from its hooks. He waited for the rich boy to appear. Soon he came up, spluttering.
"Catch the preserver!" called out our hero and cast the article in such a skillful manner that it fell within easy reach.
"Save me! Save me!" gasped the rich youth, throwing his arms wildly about him.