Dave Darrins Third Year at Annapolis | Page 8

able to hear the shouts of the imperiled ones had it not been that the
wind blew the sounds of voices away from the would-be rescuers.
"Better ease off the sheet a bit, I guess, Davy," called Dan, as he suited
the action to the word. "We don't went to run 'em down."
"No."
As he spoke, Dave Darrin brought the boat slightly around. They were

now close enough to see that Tom Foss was supporting dead weight in
the person of Susie, who was unconscious.
"Waiting the word from you on the sheet, Davy," nodded Dan, as the
boat drew close to the only pair of survivors now visible.
"Let go the sheet!" called Dave an instant later, and Dan let it run off
clear, handing the end of the rope to Darrin.
"Can you head Susie this way, Foss?" Dalzell called.
"I'd rather have help," came the faint answer. Tom Foss was evidently
well spent by his exertions in keeping up the girl so long.
Splash! Dan Dalzell was in the water, without waiting to hear more.
The athletic young midshipman swam with a steadiness and speed that
was glorious to see. Many an excellent swimmer, in smooth water,
would dread buffeting with such waves as were now rolling.
Dave Darrin, meanwhile, held on to the tiller and the paid-out sheet,
ready to manoeuvre the now pitching, rolling boat at an instant's notice.
It took all his seamanship to keep the craft afloat, though the sailboat
was far better modeled for such water than the motor launch had been.
"Give her over to me, and save yourself," commanded Dalzell cheerily,
as he reached Tom Foss. "Think you can make it, old fellow?"
"If I can't, I ought to drown," retorted Tom Foss, as he struck out, none
too strongly. "This is all my fault. You fellows gave me better advice
than I had sense to follow."
Dan, with a skill that he had acquired directly from the excellent
instruction given him by the swimming master at the Naval Academy,
was now piloting the unconscious form of Susie Danes toward the
sailboat.
Even encumbered as he was, Dan made the boat before Tom Foss could
accomplish that feat alone. Truth to tell, Foss was very nearly "all in."

Had rescue been delayed a few moments longer, Foss and his fair
companion must have sunk.
"Get hold of her, Davy," called Dan, as he ranged up on the weather
side of the tossing boat.
Darrin promptly leaned over and lifted the unconscious girl into the
boat. By the time he had done that Tom Foss reached up both hands,
seizing the boat's stern.
"Going to help me in?" he called.
"I don't know," Dave answered dubiously.
"If we can find Ella Wright there may not be room. With such a sea
running, this boat won't hold many."
"No matter about me, then," muttered Tom. "If Ella isn't found right
away I don't believe I care about going back to Gridley."
Dave's response was swiftly to knot a noose and let it down over Tom's
shoulders. The other end of the line he made fast astern. Dalzell, in the
meantime, had swum back again. Susie Danes lay as still as death in
the bottom of the boat.
As Dalzell got back where he had first reached Foss and Susie, he
espied the head of Ab Canty some distance away.
"Ab!" called Dan.
"Here!"
"What has become of Ella?"
"Oh, I wish I knew!"
"Was she afloat at all!" demanded Dan, swimming nearer.
"Yes; I kept her up for a couple of minutes, maybe. Then she got more

scared, wound her arms tight around me, and we both sank. We had a
struggle under water. I freed myself, but when I came to the top I found
that my hand was clutching nothing but her empty jersey. There it is
now," chattered Ab, his teeth, knocking against each other, as he
pointed to the garment in question on the top of a distant wave. Then
Ab sank.
For just an instant Dalzell thought Canty had gone below on purpose.
Dan swam closer, to be of assistance. Then he saw the bubbles of air
coming up rapidly.
"Cantys given out--he's going to drown!" gasped Midshipman Dan,
with horror.
Like a flash Dan dived below, found and clutched at Canty. The young
man returned the grip with interest, but Midshipman Dalzell struggled
to the surface with him. Ab Canty was exhausted, out of his head and
altogether past reasoning. Dan hated to do it, but he had to strike the
young man in the forehead. Canty gave a gasp and ceased to resist.
Dave Darrin, watching, had run the boat up close alongside as soon as
the struggling pair appeared above the waves.
"You'll have to take