his eyes gouged in this fierce manner.

Faster and more violently than ever did that powerful tail thresh the
water, until the foam seemed like soap bubbles. Bellow after bellow
made the air tremble, or at least pulsate. And amid all this racket
the shrill screams of delight on the part of the excited and pleased
swamp lad could be heard pealing forth like the notes of a bugle amid
the roar of battle.

"Get him up, Phil--get him up!"

It was Tony shouting these words, which brought the watcher to his
senses. Why, how silly of him to be crouching there, a mere looker-on,
when he ought to be having a hand in the matter.

Thinking thus, Phil immediately sprang away. A couple of bounds took
him over the side of the launch and ashore. Here, dropping his now
useless gun, he bent down alongside the roots of the live oak, which on
this side were exposed to the air by the gradually washing away of the
soil.

The first thing Phil saw was the agonized face of his chum. It no
longer looked rosy, and beaming with good-nature. Larry was genuinely
frightened, and as pale as a ghost. The sight of that terrible
monster, which he had unwittingly offended with those prods from his
push pole, together with his sudden immersion in the water, had given
him a shock.

"Reach up your hand, Larry! I'll give you a pull, and out you come!"
Phil cried, as he bent down, and stretched his own willing arm as far
down toward the surface of the water as he could.

Larry was only too willing. Indeed, he even let go with both hands,
and of course plunged back again into the river, to frantically cry
out, and seize once more on the friendly rope-end.

"Careful now! Not so fast, old fellow! Just one hand at a time; and
hold on to the rope with the other!" Phil said, encouragingly.

This time, taking warning from his former mishap, and realizing that
the more haste the less speed, Larry succeeded in thrusting his left
hand into the grasp of the waiting chum above. Phil instantly exerted
all his strength; and what with the frantic efforts of the fat boy, the
result was all that could have been wished.

Larry rolled over as soon as he found himself safe on dry land. He
gave a grunt of what might be satisfaction; allowed another pint of
water to escape; and then, filled with eagerness to witness what
strange sights might be transpiring close by, crawled to the edge of
the bank again, to stare with dilated eyes at the antics of the swa