, but in the swirl of water at his side he
heard the sudden sob of fear that told him the man beside him had
realized that something else than current ripples was about him.

Little sensed the peril, too, and like the fearless swimmer he had
proved himself, he let go his hold on the boat and started in a close,
loud-thrashing circle to round in the seamen who were trying with the
clumsiness of fright to climb aboard. Barry, far less able swimmer,
started around in the opposite direction; and between them they gave a
hand here, darted off to drive away an alligator there, and got all
aboard but one man. And this man, panic-stricken, strove alone to climb
over the stern. His legs and feet were sucked in under the boat, and he
hung by the elbows, unable to move a hand to get farther, and powerless
through fear to let go for a fresh grip.

"Let go, man!" shouted Barry, coming up on one side as Little ranged up
on the other. "Let go and get hold along the gunwale. Here, Little, tear
him loose; the man's crazed!"

The seaman suddenly let go, and a shriek pealed from his throat. He
disappeared from between Barry and Little with a swift downward plunge
that almost took them as well; and the tremendous commotion in the water
told only too plainly what agency had taken the man. And, as if in echo
to the man's shriek, a second shrill whistle from the bank indicated the
presence of the other watchman.

"Come, we can't help him, Little," gasped Barry. "Save your own legs,
man."

"Poor devil! But I guess you're right," muttered Little, and helped by
willing hands they clambered over the gunwale and fell panting into the
bottom of the boat.

They got sail on the longboat and stood straight up midstream, the oars
driving her until she reached the next bend, where her altered course
brought the wind to a sailing point. And in response to shouted orders,
the man on the bank kept pace with them, until deeper water permitted
the boat to edge in and take him on board.

"Where's the launch now?" queried the skipper. The river had become as
dark as a pocket. From ten fathoms out both shores were merged in one
black smudge.

"He go fast, sar, long time gone," replied the man, and his teeth
chattered with excitement, for he had heard his shipmate's death cry.

"Gone long time!" echoed Barry angrily. "Then what are you doing here?
Why didn't you follow farther?"

"No can do, sar. 'Nother ribber join here, sar."

Investigation verif