RAND LEAPED FROM THE RAIL.
Already, a lifeboat had been dropped into the water and into this the half-drowned man was lifted, while Rand, himself already numbed by the icy water had to be assisted aboard. He was lifted to the deck amid the cheers of his chums, who rushed him to his stateroom for dry clothing.
“That was a great piece of work,” said Captain Huxley, commander of the “Queen.” “No professional life saver could have got on the job in quicker time. Those are fine boys of yours, Colonel Snow.”
“That’s part of their training as Scouts,” replied the Colonel, “and it’s meant to be practical. That’s why I did not interfere with Peyton’s attempt at a rescue. But what started this?”
“That’s what I’m going to find out, good and quick,” replied Captain Huxley. “As usual at this time of year, I’ve got a tough crowd in the steerage, and I imagine the whole thing started in a poker game that has been running on the engine room deck ever since we left Seattle. Will you go along?”
Accompanied by Colonel Snow and the boys who joined them at that moment, Rand none the worse for his first dip in Pacific waters, Captain Huxley strode down to the engine room, where first aid had been administered to the half-drowned man, who had come to his senses.
“Well, well; if it isn’t ‘Swiftwater Jim,’” exclaimed the Captain. “Didn’t know we had you aboard.”