“Drink this, lad,” he said, handing the cup to Jerry, who drained it hastily and made a wry face.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Brandy, and prime stuff, at that. It’s thirty years old.”
Jerry shivered to think what the stuff would have tasted like had it been twice as old.
It was just what he needed, however, and in a short time the shivering ceased, and the color came back to his cheeks.
“How do you feel now?” asked Hamp.
“Splendid. It’s awfully snug and warm under these blankets. I’ll bet you fellows were scared when I went through the ice.”
“Well, I should say so,” replied Brick. “We never expected to see you again. How did you get to that hole, anyhow?”
“It was presence of mind did that,” declared Jerry. “You see, as soon as I broke through, a sort of an under-current sucked me deep down and to one side. I opened my eyes and began to swim. I came up with a bump, and then I knew I was clear under the ice. I saw a gray streak away off in front of me. I knew it must be the light shining through an air-hole, and swam for it. Then I went up head first, and you fellows know the rest. My rifle is at the bottom of the lake, though.”
“We’ve got guns enough without it,” replied Hamp. “Don’t worry about that. You can be mighty glad that you’re not beside the rifle, Jerry.”