The sad event had been observed from the shore, and before the arrival of the club boat quite a number of persons had collected. Scarcely a minute elapsed before the Zephyr touched the bank, and the lifeless body of Tim Bunker was taken out, and conveyed to the nearest house.
"How do you feel, Tony?" asked Frank, lifting the noble little fellow from his position.
"Badly, Frank; I want to go home," replied he faintly.
Among other persons who had gathered on the shore of the lake was one of the physicians of Rippleton. He followed the party that conveyed Tim into the house, and applied himself vigorously to the means of restoring him. It was a long time before there were any signs of life, and the people in the meantime believed him dead.
While Dr. Allen was at work over Tim, Fred Harper came to request his assistance for Tony. Fortunately Dr. Davis, another physician, arrived at this moment, and accompanied him to the boat.
"What ails him, Dr. Davis?" asked Frank.
"Exhaustion and excitement have overcome him."
"Is it anything serious?"
"I think not. We must get his wet clothes off, and put him to bed."
"Will you go home with him? We will row you up and back again."