"Who did——oh! look at all the splashing back of the Wireless! Why it's Buster and he's holding on to a rope or something! Stop the boat, George; stop her!"
CHAPTER IV.
THE SUDDEN PERIL.
Even while Jack Stormways was giving vent to that shout he saw that George had shut off power, for the swift speed boat no longer rushed through the water like a thing of life.
Meanwhile both the other launches were bearing down upon the scene, with their occupants only too anxious to lend a helping hand.
George had seized hold of the other end of the rope to which the unfortunate Nick clung so desperately, and was dragging the floundering fat boy in, hand over hand.
"Hold on, George—not so fast I tell you! I'm full up now with this nasty yellow water, and can't stand any more. Easy, George! Oh, if I only had my wings on right now, what a chance to try 'em out!"
In this ridiculous fashion the flapping boy-fish gave vent to his mingled feelings of reproach and regret as he found himself hauled close in to the side of the drifting Wireless, until the skipper managed to get his fingers twisted in the abundant scalplock of his boat-mate.
"Why, he's got a life preserver on! He couldn't have drowned if he tried!" exclaimed Josh, as he leaned over the side of the big roomy Comfort; an act that did not seem to disturb her stability one bit.