t 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 tur