d braced himself for the herculean effort
that would be necessary in the next breath. Reaching so far that he was
in danger of losing his own balance, he coolly awaited the critical
moment. Then his big hand closed like the paw of a grizzly bear on the
shoulder of Victor Shelton. A tremendous wrench and he was dragged out
and dropped limp and senseless at the feet of his rescuer.

George Shelton saw this much, and, hardly knowing what he was doing,
made a desperate effort to leap the chasm, that he might join the
couple. But his foot slipped, too, and only by a superhuman effort did
he save himself from tumbling into the swirling wrath of water.
Scrambling to his feet, he sped downward to Victor and the stranger.
The latter showed his coolness by getting to work without the least
delay. Victor was senseless and had swallowed a good deal of water. He
seemed to be drowned.

The man held him by the heels and was standing him on his head. Then he
rolled him over and pressed his chest, with that oscillation which is
helpful in restoring seemingly drowned persons, while the breathless
George stood idly by watching everything with straining eyes. He could
do nothing but pray and hope.

At the end of a minute or two he saw, with joy unspeakable, the signs
of returning life. Victor was on his back, as if dead, when he partly
opened his eyes; but there was no expression in them. His rescuer was
scrutinizing the lad's face and noted the awakening of consciousness.
Straightening up, he said with a sigh:

"He's all right now; but he couldn't have come nigher pegging out."

"You have saved him! You have saved him! Oh, how can I thank you?"

And yielding to the reaction, George sobbed like a child. The stranger
looked at him without speaking, and gave his attention again to the
prostrate form. Victor speedily regained his senses, and, with a little
help from the man, sat up. He stared wonderingly at his new friend and
then at his brother, striving manfully to master his emotions. With the
waggery that cropped up at the most unexpected times, he turned to
George with the question:

"Are you crying because he saved my life?"

"I'm crying for joy. I had given up all hope."

"So had I. I tell you I came pretty near being a goner. Please help me
up."

George took his hand and almost lifted Victor to his feet. As he came
up he made a grimace, because of the pain that wrenched him. He was so
battered and bruised that the wonder w