isherman below the rim of the river bank; for the log had
finally betrayed Jerry, and dropped him into that swirling, maddening
current above the high falls!
CHAPTER XIII
AN INVADER IN CAMP
Will dashed madly toward the river bank. It happened that he was
somewhat below the point where Jerry's mishap had come about. Hence, he
was able to reach the edge of the stream in a dozen seconds.
Even that short time had been enough to sweep the imperiled lad past the
place. Will was thrilled with horror to see his chum in the midst of the
churning current, trying to cling to a slippery rock, from which
insecure hold he was being gradually but surely sucked by the fierce
power exerted by the rushing stream.
Never had the roar of the falls sounded more terrible to poor Will than
when he saw Jerry suspended, as it were, above the great drop. Once he
lost his hold, he must be swept irresistibly over the edge, down to
those cruel rocks below.
Will would have foolishly attempted to reach his chum had he chanced to
be opposite the place where Jerry hung on with the desperation of
despair. As it was, he could do nothing, which was just as well, for
there must only have been two of them given over to the river once he
ventured into that mill-race.
"Help! Oh, help!" he shrieked.
The roar of the cataract must have muffled his call, so that it might
just as well have been a whisper.
Just as Will was about to give up in despair, and count Jerry as good as
lost, he made a sudden discovery. Another figure had appeared on the
bank, and just at a point opposite the rock to which Jerry clung.
"Reddy! Save him! save him!" cried Will, wringing his hands.
Then he became mute with suspense. The cowboy did not recklessly rush
into the boiling flood, for he knew only too well that such a course
could not help the imperiled one. Instead, Will saw him whirling his
rope about his head with lightning-like haste.
His heart in his eyes, Will continued to stare, holding his very breath.
He saw the coils of rope fly out just as when Reddy was giving his
exhibition in camp. Not far did they have to speed, for Jerry was close
to the shore.
"Oh! what luck! He's done it! He's done it! Jerry has the rope now, and
he is coming in, hand over hand! Bully! bully! bully!"
Will was so excited that he fairly danced up and down as he shouted
these words aloud. Then, bethinking himself of what a magnificent
picture he was losing, he too
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