Frank Merriwell's Athletes Part 21

Hans chuckled:

"Dot peen a coot von on you, Efy! Haw! haw!"

"Oh, haw! haw!" mocked the Vermonter. "I don't see where the fun comes in!"

Rattleton was p.r.o.nounced secretary.

For treasurer Browning had seven votes and Toots one.

The colored boy laughed as if he considered it a good joke.

When the officers were elected, Frank said:

"To raise funds to carry this club through I propose to sell my yacht, for which I have no further use. Yesterday I received an offer of nine hundred dollars for her, and I hope the gentleman who wants her will add another hundred to-day. That is what I paid for her, and I got a bargain. She is easily worth fourteen hundred, and I could get something near that out of her if I had time to look for a customer."

"And you propose to put that money into the running of this club?"

"Why not? Prof. Scotch knew I would need money, and he provided a sum for my use. He will expect me to use it as I see fit."

"I don't suppose anybody here will raise an objection," laughed Rattleton.

"That point is settled. Now for the matter of getting into the tournament here. I have been invited to take part."

"So soon?"

"Yes. Miss Random introduced me to her brother, Wallace, who is a prominent member of the Santa Barbara Athletic Club. He is a great sprinter, and expects to carry off the honors in the hurdle race. He had heard that I am interested in athletics, and he urged me to enter for some of the contests. As he is a member of the committee on arrangements, his invitation goes."

"It would give him a black eye if you should go into the races in which he will take part and beat him out," said Browning.

"Merry can do it, too," nodded Diamond.

"That is not a sure thing, by any means," smiled Frank. "I never knew a fellow who was so good at anything that he would not run up against some other fellow that was a little better. They say Random is a dandy."

"He will have to be to get away from you, old man," said Hodge.

"Boys," cried Harry, enthusiastically, "we won't do a thing but have a glorious time on our way back East!"

Browning groaned.

"I did think you would be satisfied to drag me into a bicycle tour across the continent," he said; "but this is something a great deal worse. The next thing I know, you'll be getting me into a six-days'

running match, or something of the sort."

"Now we have you worked down so you are in good condition, we mean to keep you so," declared Merriwell. "It will be--"

At this moment a shrill scream startled the boys and drew their attention toward the water, where the girls had been bathing in the surf.

They had been so absorbed in the business at hand that Inza Burrage and her companions were quite forgotten till that cry of fear and distress brought them to their feet.

"What's the matter?" gasped Browning, struggling up.

"The surf! There must be an undertow! One of the girls is drowning!"

cried Diamond.

Both Hodge and Merriwell were already racing toward the beach.

As they ran, Frank and Bart saw two of the girls struggling in the water.

"It's Inza!" panted Frank.

"And Effie Random!" added Bart.

"Inza can swim."

"She is trying to save Miss Random."

"That's right! Miss Random is frantic with fear-she is dragging Inza down!"

"There they go under!"

"They'll both be drowned!"

"Run, Frank-run!"

Run both lads did as if their own lives depended on their efforts. The others came stringing along behind them.

As they ran the two boys threw off the light blazers which they had been wearing. Neither had on a vest, and both were lightly dressed for warm weather.

"Oh, if I had time to get rid of my shoes!" thought Frank.

But he knew seconds were precious, and he would not stop to get rid of his shoes.

He reached the water slightly in advance of Hodge.

Two of the girls had waded out and were standing on the beach, wringing their hands and sobbing.

Several times the girls who were struggling in the water disappeared beneath the surface, but they came up each time, and it was seen that one of them was doing her best to support the other, who seemed frantic with fear.

"Save them! save them!" cried the girls on the sh.o.r.e, as Merriwell and Hodge plunged into the water.

It is not likely that either Frank or Bart heard this appeal.

The knowledge that Inza Burrage was in danger nerved Frank Merriwell to do his very utmost.

"I will save her or drown with her!" he thought.

Straight through the surf he dashed, hurled himself headlong through the crest of a big roller, and began to swim.

Hodge did the same trick with equal skill.