Into this horrible geyser Randal dropped heavily and vanished.
Next moment he rose again, and struck out madly for the bank.
"I can't shoot again," cried Lionel. "I should kill him if I did."
"Dere ain't no need to," said the negro. "You done scared de stuffin' out ob dat oder gator."
"Thank goodness he's safe," exclaimed Lionel as Randal scrambled ashore and fell in a heap on the bank. "Now we'd better get him home."
Pete laughed. "Yes, sah. I reckon he done had enough ob de Big Cypress."
When Randal came round Rutherford soon realized he had no more to fear. The fellow's nerve was broken. He shivered and trembled like a frightened child.
They took him home, and then Lionel went boldly to Colonel Fearon, and told him the whole story plump and plain. When he had finished the colonel sat speechless. His face was gray and pinched.
Lionel looked at him. "I shan't make any trouble for you," he said coolly. "All I want is those introductions. Write them now, and I'll take them myself to Washington."
Without a word the colonel obeyed.