Keeping more and more to himself, Harry finally gave up the pleasure of
skating with his friends after school, preferring to go on long runs
alone.
As he was gliding over the ice on one of these occasions, he saw a girl
and a boy skating well out toward the middle of the river, so far from
him that he could not recognize them.
For two days before, there had been a decided thaw and the ice in the
middle of the river was not considered safe by the majority of the
skaters. Accordingly, when Harry beheld the two figures, he was amazed.
"Must be from Lumberport or Cardell," he told himself. "None of our
people would be foolish enough to go out there. Guess I'll see who it
is."
And without delay, he started toward the couple.
"Good gracious! It's Viola and Craven!" he gasped, when he was near
enough to get a good look at them. For a moment, the boy was uncertain
what to do. The girl had been keeping more and more aloof from him, and
correspondingly more and more in the company of the rich student; and
well he knew that Elmer would resent his advice in some insulting
manner.
To his relief, however, the couple seemed to be so engrossed in one
another that they did not see him, and after watching them for several
minutes he was on the point of turning away when he saw them both sink,
and then heard terrified screams for help.
The cries also reached some of the other boys and girls farther down the
river, and they set out to the assistance of the struggling skaters. But
none of them had the speed of Harry.
With a swiftness that was astounding, the boy rushed over the ice toward
the hole that was constantly growing larger.
Badly frightened, both Viola and Elmer clutched frantically at the edges
of the ice, only to have them break away, sometimes in small chunks,
again in large pieces.
"Let Viola hang onto the edge by herself. Go farther down, you Craven!"
shouted Harry as he dashed toward them.
But instead of obeying, having found a piece that would hold, the rich
boy clung to it, allowing Viola to be carried past him.
"Oh, if I were only in the water with him, I'd fix the coward!" cried
Harry. "I only wish the others were near enough to see what he did."
Thanks to his speed, our hero was so close to the hole that he was
obliged to exercise caution lest he, too, break through.
"Here, give me a hand. That ice'll hold you!" shouted Elmer, as his
rival approached.
But Harry seemed not to hear him.
"Hey, you fool, get me out of this; then we two can get Viola."
His pleading, however, was without avail. Straight along the edge of the
hole Harry skated until he was abreast of the girl of whom he was so
fond.
"Just keep hold of that ice cake a few moments longer," he called
encouragingly. "I'll have you out in no time."
"But I'm too far from the edge. You never can reach me!" sobbed Viola.
And as she saw the firm ice so close to her, she made a frantic effort
to swim out, with the result that she lost her hold on the floating ice
cake.
Harry had been hoping that the current would carry the girl in toward a
part of the river where it would not be so difficult for him to get to
her. But the instant he saw her hands slip from the cake, he sprang into
the water.
Being a good swimmer, it required only a few strokes for him to reach
the side of the girl, but as he did so his troubles began.
Handicapped by his clothes and his skates, when Viola seized him in the
despairing clutch of a drowning person, he was almost drawn under.
"No, no, you mustn't grab me around the throat, Viola!" he gasped. "Put
your hands on my shoulders. If you don't, you'll drown us both. I won't
let you sink--and if you'll only do as I tell you, I'll have you safe and
sound in a jiffy."
Something there was in the tone in which the boy spoke that not only
soothed the frenzied girl, but gave her confidence, and though she did
not remove her hands from around Harry's neck, she ceased her struggles,
permitting him, by means of the ice cakes, and treading water, to make
his way toward the firm ice.
The other boys and girls who were hastening to the assistance of their
schoolmates had watched the rescue eagerly, and when they saw the boy
half roll, half lift the girl out onto the solid ice, they cheered
lustily.
But in saving Viola, Harry had overtaxed his strength. Indeed, it had
only been by putting every ounce of his power into the effort that he
had been able to raise the girl from the water; and the instant he saw
her safe, he sank back.
The realization that she was on sound ice, however, restored the girl to
her senses; and as she beheld the boy who had saved her from the icy
waters lose his hold, she spun about; and with a quick move, caught his
coat sleeve as his arm went up in the air.
To the task of pulling Harry from the water, however, Viola was not
equal.
"Hurry! Hurry! Help me!" she shouted to the leaders of the other
would-be rescue party. "I can't hold him much longer!"
"Hey, you, come and get me first! I've been in the water longer!" yelled
Elmer.
But fortunately for Harry, it was Paul and Jerry who were in the van of
the skaters, and at Viola's cries, they put on every ounce of speed they
had, relieving her of her hold just in the nick of time.
Harry, however, was more used up than the others had believed, and it
was several minutes before he opened his eyes.
"Is--is Viola safe?" he gasped.
"Indeed, I am, Harry!" returned the girl, bending over him. And there
was a light in her eyes that thrilled the boy who had rescued her.
When he tried to get up, Harry found he had no strength.
"Somebody go get a sled," commanded Longback.
"And let him lie here cold and wet, while you're going for it?" stormed
Viola. "Pick him up and carry him, some of you."
Instantly Paul, Jerry, Dawson and another boy seized Harry, and half
supporting, half carrying him, they got him to the shore, while Nettie
and the other girls helped Viola, leaving Elmer to the tender mercies of
Pud and Socker, who had finally arrived in time to drag him from the
water.
But even they wasted few words on him, ashamed as they were to think
that he should have sought to save himself at the sacrifice of Viola.
Straight to bed did Mrs. Watson put Harry when he was brought to the
house, giving him warming drinks; while his chums rubbed his benumbed
arms and legs. But he did not respond to their treatment as quickly as
he should, and in alarm, his aunt finally sent for a doctor.
Grave, indeed, did the man of medicine look after he had completed his
examination of the boy.
"If he'd been exposed for another half hour, I doubt if we could have
brought him around," he announced. "As it is, it will be several days
before he will be up and about."
But the physician was mistaken--his days were weeks.
His nervous system overtaxed because of his worry in regard to his
father, Harry's physical condition had run down, and the chill he
received caused him to go off into pneumonia.
Harry's illness, however, served one good purpose--it caused a reaction
in the feelings of his schoolmates. When it became noised around that he
had endangered his life to rescue the girl who was skating with his
implacable enemy, the boys and girls of Rivertown High realized that he
was made of good material. And their change in feelings was shown by
calls they made to ask about his condition, and the delicacies they sent
in. But only Paul, Jerry and finally Viola were allowed to see him,
though they were forbidden to talk to him.
Little, indeed, did he talk, and then only to ask if word had come from
Jed Brown. And as his aunt was forced, day after day, to declare that
she had heard nothing, the boy seemed to lose all interest in getting
well.
But the crippled veteran, though silent, had not deserted the boy who
had rescued him from the bully.
Arrived in Lawrenceburgh, he had vainly pleaded with several influential
men to arrange for a stay in the execution of sentence upon Harry's
father. But one and all, they turned a deaf ear to his pleadings, and
Mr. Watson was forced to go to prison.
But on the very day he entered upon his term of punishment, old Jed
stumbled upon a clue which was to prove his innocence.
Chancing to drop into a tobacco store which was kept by one of his war
comrades, he was amazed to find still another member of his old company
dressed in handsome clothes and wearing a diamond ring. As the man had
always been a ne'er-do-well, the change in his circumstances puzzled
Jed, and when the fellow had taken his departure, he asked the
shop-keeper what had caused it.
"That's what I'd like to find out," returned the tobacconist. "For the
last six months, Bill has been going around with his pockets full of
money. He's living at the Ransom House, too."
This being one of the chief hotels in Lawrenceburgh, the fact still
further emphasized the turn in the veteran's fortunes.
"Ever give you any idea how he got the money?" asked Jed.
"Says he done it by writing. Bill always was a good writer, you know.
Don't you remember how he used to forge pass orders for some of the boys
when they wanted to leave camp?"
The words sent an idea to Jed's mind, and bidding the shop-keeper a
hasty good-bye, he hied himself to the Ransom House, where he made many
inquiries about the former soldier. At first he made little headway; but
just as he was giving up in despair, he saw another old comrade.
"Say, what's the matter with you Rivertown folks?" asked this man. "Have
you come down to see Bill Hawkins, too? Ned Snooks visits him about once
a month."
At the mention of the Rivertown butcher, the crippled veteran gasped.
Then he remembered that bad feeling had sprung up between the butcher
and Mr. Watson over a real estate deal in which the former maintained
that he had been swindled--and Jed immediately concluded that Ned Snooks
was at the bottom of the charges against Harry's father.
But it was one thing to believe this, and quite another to prove it--yet
with that perseverance which had distinguished him as a soldier in the
ranks, Jed set about obtaining evidence; and finally succeeded in
extracting a confession from Hawkins, that, acting for the butcher, he
had forged the name of Snooks to some checks, and managed to lay the
blame on Amos Watson.
Elated, Jed again approached the influential men who had refused to
intercede for their fellow townsman, and after convincing them of the
truth of the confession, received their aid in obtaining Mr. Watson's
release from prison, and subsequent exoneration from the charge of
forgery.
Ignorant of the illness of Harry, the old veteran did not report on his
progress, and the first news the boy had of the change in his father's
condition was when a telegram was brought to him.
With trembling fingers he opened it, then uttered a faint cry of joy, as
he read:
"Harry Watson,
Rivertown.
Charges against me proven false. I want you to come to Lawrenceburgh
to spend Sunday with me.
Father."
Better than any tonic or care was the news to Harry, and though he was
not able to go to his father, Mr. Watson came to him, bringing good old
Jed Brown with him, and happy, indeed, was the reunion.
Despite his villainy, Mr. Watson refused to prosecute Ned Snooks; but
public opinion was so aroused against the butcher that he sold his
property, and moved away from Rivertown, while the man he had so wronged
decided to live in the town, and in due course opened a real estate
office.
"But didn't Pud know about this forgery from the first?" asked Harry, of
his parent, one day.
"I think not, my son," replied Mr. Watson. "Mr. Snooks was a man who
kept his affairs to himself. Had Pud known he would have taunted you
long before he did."
"It was grand of old Jed Brown to act as he did," murmured our hero. "We
owe him a great deal."
"He is to live with me and your Aunt Mary after this," said the father.
"He is going to help me in my real estate business. As he is getting
old, I shall let him take it as easy as he pleases." And so it was
arranged.
When Harry returned to Rivertown High he was given an ovation that made
him blush like a girl. The only person who remained in the background
was Elmer Craven. He had nothing to say; and when, during the following
Fall, the Craven family moved to Boston, Elmer was glad to go along, so
he would not have to return to a school where he was in such bad odor.
Harry continued at Rivertown High School for the full term of four
years; and when he graduated he did so at the top of his class. Then he
went into the real estate business with his father, and both made money
rapidly. His friendship for Viola ripened into a much more tender
feeling; and it is reported that some day the pair will be married. But
though Harry was successful as a land dealer he never became tired of
talking about his high-school days.
"We had some great times," he said, one day, to Paul.
"We sure did!" replied his chum. "In my opinion there is no better
school in all the world than Rivertown High!"
"Right you are!" responded Harry. "And as matters have turned out I am
very glad that I came here."
The Webster Series
By FRANK V. WEBSTER
Mr. Webster's style is very much like that of the boys' favorite author,
the late lamented Horatio Alger, Jr., but his tales are thoroughly
up-to-date.
Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated.
Stamped in various colors.
Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid.
Only A Farm Boy, _or Dan Hardy's Rise in Life_
The Boy From The Ranch, _or Roy Bradner's City Experiences_
The Young Treasure Hunter, _or Fred Stanley's Trip to Alaska_
The Boy Pilot of the Lakes, _or Nat Morton's Perils_
Tom The Telephone Boy, _or The Mystery of a Message_
Bob The Castaway, _or The Wreck of the Eagle_
The Newsboy Partners, _or Who Was Dick Box?_
Two Boy Gold Miners, _or Lost in the Mountains_
The Young Firemen of Lakeville, _or Herbert Dare's Pluck_
The Boys of Bellwood School, _or Frank Jordan's Triumph_
Jack the Runaway, _or On the Road with a Circus_
Bob Chester's Grit, _or From Ranch to Riches_
Airship Andy, _or The Luck of a Brave Boy_
High School Rivals, _or Fred Markham's Struggles_
Darry The Life Saver, _or The Heroes of the Coast_
Dick The Bank Boy, _or A Missing Fortune_
Ben Hardy's Flying Machine, _or Making a Record for Himself_
Harry Watson's High School Days, _or The Rivals of Rivertown_
Comrades of the Saddle, _or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains_
Tom Taylor at West Point, _or The Old Army Officer's Secret_
The Boy Scouts of Lennox, _or Hiking Over Big Bear Mountain_
The Boys of the Wireless, _or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep_
Cowboy Dave, _or The Round-up at Rolling River_
Jack of the Pony Express, _or The Young Rider of the Mountain Trail_
The Boys of the Battleship, _or For the Honor of Uncle Sam_
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York
THE BOY RANCHERS SERIES
By WILLARD F. BAKER
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full colors._
_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid._
_Stories of the great west, with cattle ranches as a setting, related in
such a style as to captivate the hearts of all boys._
1. THE BOY RANCHERS _or Solving the Mystery at Diamond X_
Two eastern boys visit their cousin. They become involved in an exciting
mystery.
2. THE BOY RANCHERS IN CAMP _or The Water Fight at Diamond X_
Returning for a summer visit to their western cousin's ranch, the two
eastern lads learn, with delight, that they are to be allowed to become
boy ranchers in earnest.
3. THE BOY RANCHERS ON THE TRAIL _or The Diamond X After Cattle
Rustlers_
Our boy heroes take the trail after Del Pinzo and his outlaws.
4. THE BOY RANCHERS AMONG THE INDIANS _or Trailing the Yaquis_
Rosemary and Floyd visiting their cousins Bud, Nort and Dick, are
captured by the Yaqui Indians. The boy ranchers trail the savages into
the mountains and eventually effect the rescue.
5. THE BOY RANCHERS AT SPUR CREEK _or Fighting the Sheep Herders_
Dangerous struggle against desperadoes for land rights brings out heroic
adventures.
_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York
THE BOYS' OUTING LIBRARY
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in full color._
_Price per volume, 65 cents, postpaid._
The Saddle Boys Series
BY CAPT. JAMES CARSON
The Saddle Boys of the Rockies
The Saddle Boys in the Grand Canyon
The Saddle Boys on the Plains
The Saddle Boys at Circle Ranch
The Saddle Boys on Mexican Trails
The Dave Dashaway Series
BY ROY ROCKWOOD
Dave Dashaway the Young Aviator
Dave Dashaway and His Hydroplane
Dave Dashaway and His Giant Airship
Dave Dashaway Around the World
Dave Dashaway: Air Champion
The Speedwell Boys Series
BY ROY ROCKWOOD
The Speedwell Boys on Motorcycles
The Speedwell Boys and Their Racing Auto
The Speedwell Boys and Their Power Launch
The Speedwell Boys in a Submarine
The Speedwell Boys and Their Ice Racer
The Tom Fairfield Series
BY ALLEN CHAPMAN
Tom Fairfield's School Days
Tom Fairfield at Sea
Tom Fairfield in Camp
Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck
Tom Fairfield's Hunting Trip
The Fred Fenton Athletic Series
BY ALLEN CHAPMAN
Fred Fenton the Pitcher
Fred Fenton in the Line
Fred Fenton on the Crew
Fred Fenton on the Track
Fred Fenton: Marathon Runner
_Send For Our Free Illustrated Catalogue._
CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York
THE COLLEGE SPORTS SERIES
By LESTER CHADWICK
_12mo. Cloth. Illustrated. Jacket in Colors._
_Price per volume, $1.00, postpaid._
_Mr. Chadwick has played on the diamond and on the gridiron himself._
1. THE RIVAL PITCHERS _A Story of College Baseball_
Tom Parsons, a "hayseed," makes good on the scrub team of Randall
College.
2. A QUARTERBACK'S PLUCK _A Story of College Football_
A football story, told in Mr. Chadwick's best style, that is bound to
grip the reader from the start.
3. BATTING TO WIN _A Story of College Baseball_
Tom Parsons and his friends Phil and Sid are the leading players on
Randall College team. There is a great game.
4. THE WINNING TOUCHDOWN _A Story of College Football_
After having to reorganize their team at the last moment, Randall makes
a touchdown that won a big game.
5. FOR THE HONOR OF RANDALL _A Story of College Athletics_
The winning of the hurdle race and long-distance run is extremely
exciting.
6. THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS _A Story of College Water Sports_
Tom, Phil and Sid prove as good at aquatic sports as they are on track,
gridiron and diamond.
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CUPPLES & LEON COMPANY, Publishers, New York