By the time he had sunk to the calves he was thoroughly frightened and endeavoured wildly to throw himself out of the engulfing sand. The more he struggled and squirmed the quicker he sank and then, desperate with his danger and horror, he screamed at the top of his lungs.
He gazed frantically about, but the only sign of habitation was a deserted-looking camp some distance away on the bluff.
Again Paul yelled “Help! Help! Help!” and ended in a terrific cry that curdled the blood in Billy’s veins just as he was about to push the button in the kodak.
“What’s that yell, Bill?” called Fred from below.
Frightened Billy looked around carefully and located a human speck down near the water. From the manner in which it was tossing about its arms it seemed to be in dire need of help.
None of the boys were aware of Paul’s desertion but expected to find him fooling with bugs or flowers on the other side of the brush. So, Billy thought some one unknown to them needed help.
“Some one’s having a nasty time over there near the water—I don’t know who or what is wrong, but I can make out that whoever it is wants help. Hustle over and see, Fred!” called Billy.
“Where—which way and direction?” shouted Fred, looking up at Billy.
“Off in that direction—straight through that opening of the firs!” came down from Billy, who had started to descend the moment he took the bearings.
“We’ll run ahead, you follow, Bill!” called Fred, turning to tell Dudley and Paul to come with him.