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.
Pages:
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122