"I was just taking a stroll," replied the colonel, "when I heard the noise and came down to see what it was."
CHAPTER XXI
A SURPRISE
"W-W-WHAT was that?" stammered Pepper. "I t-thought I heard a cry.
T-t-there it is again," as a faint call came from the river.
The three boys were standing on the landing with Colonel Snow, still discussing the mysterious disappearance of Gerald.
"T-that you, Gerald?" shouted Pepper.
"Where are you?" cried Donald; but, without waiting for a reply, he threw off his coat and shoes and plunged into the river, swimming in the direction from which the cry had come,
"He's all right!" came the reassuring cry from Donald a little later. "I have got him," and shortly afterwards reappeared paddling a boat in which was the bewildered Gerald, who was helped onto the landing by the colonel and the others.
"H-h-how did you g-get into the boat, Gerald?" asked Pepper when
Gerald had somewhat recovered from the effects of his experience.
"Did you think it was a good time to take a row?"
"It looks that way," replied Gerald. "But when Rand called to me to stop them I ran out to try and head them off, but something gave me a rap on the head and the next thing I knew I found myself lying in that boat. Say, I feel as if I had a head like a pumpkin."