Frank Merriwell's Catch — page 10: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ae | TIP TOP WEEKLY. ' suddenly wheeled about and plunged into ' the swampy woods, vanishing from view. Hodge saw this movement and won- dered at it, but said nothing to Merri- - well, feeling that Frank needed to give his entire attention to the task of getting ashore with Welch. Nearer and nearer to the shore Merri- well struggled. He moved slower and slower, and it was plain that the task was a heavy drain upon his energy and en- durance. Bart feared that Frank would give out, but this did not happen. Fi- nally Hodge said: “IT think you can stand up here, Merry. Try it—see if your feet will touch _ bottom.”? ‘Frank did so, and found he could touch the bottom and have his head out of the _ water, which enabled him to walk ashore. Bart got out upgn the beach and helped Frank drag Welch upon the sand. Mer- - riwell was panting, but he regarded with the greatest anxiety the lad he had brought to land. *“He’s drowned !”” is done for, Frank!” ‘Of with your coat!’’ exclaimed Mer- tiwel], panting. ‘‘Give me my coat and shoes from the canoe. Quick! We must hustle if we bring him round !”? Taking the shoes, Frank wrapped the cried Hodge. ‘He coats about them, making a hard roll or. bundle. Then he placed the bundle on the beach and, aided by Bart, lay Welch face down upon it so it pressed upon his stomach. Having placed the unconscious lad in this position, with the collar of his shirt ripped open, Merriwell began press- ing upon his back just below his shoulder blades, and with each pressure water spurted from the lad’s mouth. ‘““If we can get him to breathing after we get this water out of him, he’ll come* round,’’ said Frank, anxiously. They. did not work more than a min- _heavy club in his hand. ute before Welch choked and groaned, causing Frank to express relief. ‘“‘He’s coming round so quick,’ said Merry. ‘‘We’ll have him all night 10 short order.” Now Welch arenend and choked ina most distressing manner. The boys knew he was suffering fearful tortures, but they kept at work till he ceased to expel water. Then Frank placed him in a posi- tion to breathe easily, and they saw him staring up at them with wide-open eyes. “Vou are all right,’ said Merry; “bus it was a close shave.’’ “Oh! groaned Welch; ‘‘I’d rather die than go through that again! How did I get here??? ‘““You got here by being brought by Frank Merriwell,’’ said Hodge, scowling at Welch. ‘‘He risked his life to save you from drowning, and you didn’t deserve it. +) } Welch said nothing for some moments, but seemed trying to collect his scattered wits. At last he asked: ‘‘Where is Bunker?” “The man you were with?” (lVWes BD) ‘‘He skipped into the swamp some- where.’ ‘‘And left me?”’ | ‘“Yes. He got ashore first, and he “That will do!’ growled a hoarse voice, and there was a grating step on the sand. ‘‘Bunker is here. He don’t run away from kids like you.” The man approached, carrying a He looked ugly enough at that moment, and it was plain he was not in a pleasant mood. : ‘‘Look out for him, Frank!” whispered Hodge. ‘‘He is up to something.” > AMATEUR JOURNALISM IS ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING DEPARTMENTS IN THE HALF-HOLIDAY. GOMG ooo Cie SS (C(0)