she saw the other
girl's eyes open.

But Gladys either would not or could not obey that good advice. She
struggled furiously by way of answer, and for a long minute Bessie was
too busy keeping afloat to be able to look for the coming of the help
that was so badly needed.

There seemed to be no purpose to the struggles of Gladys, but they were
none the less desperate because of that. Her eyes had the wide, fixed
stare that, had Bessie known it, is so invariably seen in those who are
in mortal fear of drowning. And she clung to Bessie with a strength that
no one could have imagined her capable of displaying.

And at last, though she hated to do it, Bessie managed to get her hands
free, and, clenching her fists, she drove them repeatedly into the
other's face so that Gladys was forced to let go and put her hands
before her face to cover herself from the vicious blows.

At once Bessie seized the opportunity. She flung herself away, knowing
that even though she did not try to help herself, but being conscious,
Gladys would not sink at once, and got behind her, so that she could
grasp her by the shoulders and be safe from the deadly clutch of her
arms.

Free from the terrible danger that is the risk assumed by all who rescue
drowning persons, that of being dragged down by the victim, Bessie was
able to raise her head and look for the _Eleanor_. And now she gave
a wild cry as she saw the sloop bearing down upon her. Eleanor Mercer
was in the bow, a coil of rope in her hands, and a moment later she
flung it skillfully, so that Bessie caught it. At once Bessie made a
noose and slipped the rope over Gladys's shoulders. Then she let go,
and, turning on her back, rested while Gladys was dragged toward the
sloop.

Bessie herself was almost exhausted by her struggle. She felt that, had
her very life depended upon doing it, she could not have swam the few
yards that separated her from the sloop. But there was no need for her
to do it. Steering with the utmost skill, Dolly soon brought the
_Eleanor_ alongside of Bessie as she lay floating in the water, and
a moment later she was being helped aboard.

"Lie down and rest," commanded Eleanor. "Don't try to talk yet."

And Bessie was glad enough to obey. She lay down beside Gladys, who
seemed to have fainted again, and Eleanor threw a rug over her.

"Now we must get them ashore as quickly as we can, Dolly," said Eleanor.
"Bessie's just tired out, but I don't like the looks of G