CHAPTER XXIX
THE OPERATION
Part of the strain that had held all of them under its spell seemed tobe wearing off. They were breathing more easily now.
True, the most critical part of what had been undertaken was stillbefore them--the operation. Performed, as it must be, under the mostunfavorable circumstances, from a surgical standpoint, there was everychance against Professor Snodgrass, and very few in his favor.
“But we’re this far on the return trip,” said Bob, with a sigh ofrelief, as they chugged forward in the motor boat. “And that’s a wholelot.”
“Indeed it is,” agreed Miss Payson with a smile. And Bob’s remarkseemed to sum up the whole situation. They were well on the way of thereturn trip.
That, in itself, was a satisfaction, for there was so much that mighthave happened--in fact, so much that still might happen. But, on thewhole, travel by the river seemed more certain than by road. Though thebreaking down of the motor on the initial trip did not seem to arguemuch in that line.
But the night was over. They had the whole day before them, and, withgood luck, they would reach the camp in the woods at night.
“Will you operate as soon as you arrive?” asked Miss Payson of Dr.Wright.
“It all depends--on the patient. I fear I shall have to. It has gonerather too long already, since the accident. There is only a slightchance--but, such as it is, we must take it.”
He had spoken in a low tone, though not so low but that Jerry heardhim. And the tall lad felt a sense of foreboding; but not so much onhis own account. It was solely because he loved the professor, andwanted to see him spared for many years to come. For now Jerry wasthoroughly convinced that there had been some trickery, and that thelittle scientist had not played them false.
The motor was running true and “like a sewing machine,” as Bobexpressed it. He and Jerry took turns at the wheel, in looking afterthe machinery, and filling the oil cups. Dr. Wright sat in the cabin,with his sister and Miss Payson, talking in low tones about the comingoperation, and making what plans they could in advance.
On and on they raced--a race against the clock, to save a life. Wouldthey be in time?
There was nothing they could do--that Bob or Jerry could do--toincrease the speed.
It was not like being in the auto. No advantage could be taken of thebetter parts of the road to make haste. All that could be done was tokeep the machinery going, see that it was oiled, and steer a straightcourse. The extra five gallons of gasoline which they had not neededfor the auto, were put aboard the _Scud_.
They had their dinner on the boat, and Bob was in his element as cook.The ladies praised his culinary skill, and that was enough to make Bobhappy.
They passed from the river to the lake, and speeded on. Keen-eyedJerry, at the wheel, noted point after point, land-mark afterland-mark, as they passed them.
Bob and Jerry were standing on the raised after-deck, near the wheel,talking, when Miss Payson, who, with the doctor and his sister, was inthe cabin, came to the door, and asked:
“Is there anything wrong, boys? There is some water on the floor inhere. Perhaps something has spilled.”
“Water?” cried Bob.
Jerry handed his chum the wheel, and went into the cabin. He saw alittle pool of water oozing up from the cracks in the cabin floor.
“That’s what’s been holding us back!” he exclaimed. “I wondered whatmade her so heavy.”
“What is it?” asked the doctor.
“A small leak,” Jerry replied. “Probably the same seams that openedbefore are widening now. We’ve been running pretty fast, and thevibration of the motor has probably shaken out some of the caulking.”
“Is there--is there any danger?” asked Miss Wright.
“Not at all,” Jerry assured her, though he was not quite as sure as hisvoice indicated. “I’ll start the pump.”
This soon brought the water down to a level below the boards of thecabin floor, and for some time no more came in. But the leak must havegrown, for, in spite of what the pump took out, the floor was sooncovered.
“We’ll have to bail,” said Jerry, grimly. “But it won’t be more thanthree hours before we’re at the end of the lake.”
They had indeed made good time, better even than on the down trip, withthe broken spring. The motor had worked to perfection--too well, infact, for its vibrations had opened the seams.
“Bail!” cried Miss Payson.
“Yes, we’ll have to dip out the water as fast as it comes in,” saidJerry. “The pump hasn’t capacity enough.”
The progress of the boat was slower now, and it was not until completedarkness had fallen that they reached the improvised dock, whence thetrail led up to the cabin where the wounded professor lay.
And the last mile was hardest of all, for the boat was so water-loggedthat even the powerful motor sent her along only at the pace of a scow.
“Well, she can’t sink, at any rate!” exclaimed Jerry, as he fairlygrounded her in shallow water at the dock.
They made their way up the trail, carrying with them all that wasnecessary for the operation. But were they in time to perform it?
“Who’s there?” called the voice of Ned from the cabin.
“We’re back, old man,” answered Jerry.
“Oh!” and there was unmistakable relief in Ned’s voice.
“How’s the professor?” asked Jerry.
“Just about the same.”
“Then there’s a chance,” murmured Dr. Wright. “Now to get busy!”
Ned and Andy were quickly told of the race to save a life--the racethe final spurt of which was now to be made. The boys who had been atthe cabin reported that nothing of moment had transpired since Bob andJerry departed.
Preparations for the operation were on apace. I will not weary youwith them, for such matters are never very pleasant. Instruments wereboiled, to kill all germs. Bandages were laid in readiness. The nursesdonned their uniforms, and the cabin was put in the best conditionpossible.
“You may come in and see him,” said Dr. Wright to Jerry and his chums,about nine o’clock that night. “We are about to start. He is conscious,and wants to see you.”
“Will it be all right?” asked Jerry.
“Oh, yes. He is more nearly rational than at any time since you broughthim here.”
So they went in. The hapless professor was swathed in a sheet on thetable. He looked very pale and thin in the light of candles and lamps,but his eyes now had the look of consciousness.
“Jerry--Jerry,” he whispered in a faint voice. “I--I can’t say much--Idon’t know all that happened--those scoundrels sent me up here to getme out of the way--I know now. But I have evidence against them. When Irecover--tell it all. That land is yours. I will give evidence----”
“That will do now,” said Dr. Wright gently, and he motioned for theboys to go.
The sickly smell of ether filled the night air about the cabin. Thedoor was closed, as the boys went down the trail. They did not want tostay too near, and there was nothing they could do. The operation hadbegun.