THE SUCKER-HOLE
The swimmers were astonished to see Mr. Gordon coming on the run toward
them, with Paul at his heels.
But by that time the two who had been actively playing conquer with Andy
Flinn began to notice something queer.
"He don't come up at all, sir; Andy's got us all beat to a frazzle
staying under!" one of them declared, as if surprised that the Irish lad
could hold his breath so long.
The words thrilled Paul, for he realized that his worst fears were
likely to be realized. And how glad he felt that there was some one else
there now, capable of assuming the responsibility. Had the duty devolved
on him, not knowing the terrible peril of a sucker-hole, he might have
plunged straight in, to try and find Andy; when there would have been
two victims, perhaps many more!
Mr. Gordon was quickly flinging one end of the rope toward Paul. He had
slipped the noose over his own body, securing it under his arms.
"If you feel any quick jerks pull hard!" he shouted.
The next instant, he had leaped from the bank. They saw him take a
graceful header into the agitated water, where the boys were gathering.
Then he vanished from their sight.
Paul clutched the rope and gathered in the slack. His heart was pounding
like mad with the anxiety, while he waited for results. If no signal
came after a certain lapse of time he meant to pull in anyway;
determined that Mr. Gordon must not be sacrificed too.
"Get a grip here, some of you fellows!" he called, fearing lest he might
not be able to manage alone.
Willing hands seized hold, and half a dozen hung to the rope. Every eye
was fastened on the surface of the water; but since the boys had trooped
ashore it was no longer agitated. Paul could see that wide circle
forming a distinct swirl. He shuddered as he looked at it. Never again
would he ever watch a sweeping ring in the water without feeling a
coldness in the region of his heart.
The terrible seconds passed. Some of the boys were as white as ghosts;
and they shivered while standing there scantily clad.
"Oh! let's drag him back!" exclaimed William, who had hold next to Paul.
"Not yet. It isn't hardly half a minute, and Mr. Gordon can hold out
longer than that," Paul replied, firmly; though himself anxiously
counting the seconds, because he knew he could never trust to a
haphazard guess.
"There! wasn't that a jerk?" asked Jud Elderkin; but the wish was father
to the thought; and again Paul refused to be swerved from his plan of
action.
Sighs were heard, and more than one groan. It required considerable
firmness on the part of the patrol leader to refrain, when every nerve
in his body seemed crying out in protest. But the time he had set as a
limit had not yet expired.
Just as he was about to give in, he felt a sudden quick pull, followed
by another.
"Now!" he called, in his excitement, and it was like the letting off
steam from an overcharged boiler.
How those fellows did pull upon that line! Paul had to caution them to
be careful, such was their eagerness to get the scoutmaster safely above
water.
And when presently his figure arose, and they saw that he was carrying
poor Andy in his arms, such a shout as went up! Two fellows who had been
in camp all this while, resting in ignorance as to the thrilling event
that was transpiring, came galloping along the shore to see what was up.
Mr. Gordon knew just how to get to work in order to revive Andy,
providing he had not been under the water too long. His system was the
same as that used by Paul; indeed, it had been the scoutmaster who had
taught Paul much of what he knew in the science of life saving.
After half an hour of hard work, during which the boys were greatly
depressed, success greeted their efforts. Andy was revived; but he had
had even a closer call than Tom Betts. It was a very useful lesson to
every boy in camp, and one that they could profit by in future years.
"What did it feel like, Andy?" asked Mr. Gordon, after the rescued boy
had recovered enough to talk.
"Sure and I thought a great big giant had holt of me," Andy remarked,
slowly and thoughtfully. "I tried me best to break away; but the harder
I swum the tighter he grabbed me. I remimber trying to shout out for
help, and swallowin' a quart of wather. Thin I didn't know anything at
all till I opened me peepers right here, and saw yees all dancin' around
me. But I don't go swimmin' in that old lake agin. It's enchanted,
that's what it is."
When the secret of the unseen outlet of the lake was explained to Andy,
he just smiled and shook his head. He had been down there, and ought to
know if there was a giant waiting to make a meal of plump boys. Nor
could they ever convince Andy to the contrary; and it was noticed that
he did not go in bathing again during their stay.
After that, while swimming tests as well as those of diving, were
expected to be indulged in every day during their stay in Camp Surprise,
the boys would keep well away from the place where that steady swirl in
the water told of the treacherous sucker-hole.
Mr. Gordon's chief forte lay in water athletics. He was like a duck
himself, and never tired of teaching those boys who showed an
inclination to learn. It was of vast importance to know just what ought
to be done should a swimmer be suddenly seized with a cramp while in
deep water, and with no one near to help him.
Then he took pains to show them just how it was possible to break the
frenzied grip of a drowning person, that has so many times drawn a
would-be rescuer down to a watery grave. Whether the grasp was upon the
wrists, the neck, or around the body from the back, there was a simple
method of shaking off the terrified one in order to clutch him unawares.
Talk or entreaty being impossible under such circumstances, immediate
action is the only way of accomplishing results. In the wrist hold the
swimmer must suddenly raise his arms and sink, eluding the other's
clutch as he goes down. When clasped about the neck it is necessary to
raise the knees and give a sudden and powerful thrust forward that
forces the other away.
"That grip on the back has always been the most difficult to manage, for
me at least," the instructor continued, while explaining the various
methods by actual demonstration, in the water; "sometimes you can take
hold of the wrists that are clasped around you, and by pushing with all
your force backward, find a chance to slip out from the threatening
embrace."
"But suppose that fails?" observed Jack, who, as a good swimmer, was
eagerly listening to all that was said, and endeavoring to profit by the
advice.
The scoutmaster shrugged his shoulders at this question.
"Well," he said gravely, "under such conditions there remains but one
method. It sounds cruel, but remember that two lives are at stake.
Heroic measures alone can save one, and give the other a chance. Throw
back your head suddenly with considerable force. You will come in
contact with his nose, and give him a shock that is likely to so
unsettle him that you can break away, and turn around."
He even showed the boys how this could be done, without, of course,
bringing into play the roughest part of the rescue act.
If every Boy Scout only learned these simple rules for rescuing a
comrade without running much risk himself, dozens and scores of precious
lives might be saved every Summer.
As evening came on, and preparations were being made to have a rousing
supper, in order to celebrate the arrival of the scoutmaster, Mr. Gordon
and Paul separated themselves from the rest of the campers to talk
matters over.
"One thing is sure, Paul," remarked Mr. Gordon, with a look of grim
determination; "we must make certain that there is no repetition of last
night's bombardment."
"You mean the Slavin crowd, sir, I take it?" observed the patrol leader.
"Yes," went on Mr. Gordon; "and I commend your plan for nipping such a
thing in the bud. Of course it's a shame that we are not allowed to camp
up here in peace. But those fellows need a good lesson before they'll
call quits, and go back home. I've made up my mind just what ought to be
done in the matter."
"You know," said Paul, "I suggested having several of our scouts located
up on the side of the mountain, with plenty of ammunition handy; and
when the first stone is thrown, they could send a volley right at the
spot where they discover the others at work."
"A good idea, too," commented the scoutmaster, readily, "and one we will
put into operation; but even that does not strike at the root of the
matter. If we are disturbed to-night, or at any other time by those
unruly boys, I shall organize an expedition on the very next morning, to
search the side of the mountain back of us, in the hope of finding where
they have their headquarters."
"We have made up our minds that it must be in a cave. I understand the
mountain is fairly honeycombed with them in parts, Mr. Gordon."
"I have no doubt that will prove to be the case," continued the leader
of the troop; "since you say they brought no tents along, and not very
much to eat. And should we find out where they are located I am going to
manage in some way to make them lose what few provisions they have. That
is the quickest way in the world to subdue a hostile army; capture their
base of supplies."
"You mean they will have to go back home, or stay hungry?" laughed Paul;
"well, I never thought of that, and must say it is fine. I don't think
you'll have any trouble about getting recruits for that expedition. The
fact is, every fellow will want to be in the party."
"Then we'll choose those we want," said Mr. Gordon, "and make the rest
guard the camp, which might be raided by the angry Slavin crowd, when
they learned what was on the carpet. But Paul, that odor in the air
smells very appetizing. I imagine our cooks must be doing themselves
proud to-night. It will be hard to wait for the assembly call. Look at
our William putting on airs with that chef's white cap cocked over his
ears. Oh! this is certainly worth while coming for. What's that,
Bobolink picking up his bugle? I really believe supper is ready. How
glad I am to be here to-night. Come, Paul, and let us see what sort of
fare the Stanhope troop can offer us."