CHAPTER X
_In which Clarence engages in a swimming race, and to the consternation of Dora, disappears in the waters of the Mississippi._
On the following day, the camp did not break up at the usual earlyhour. Pete remained in his tent nursing his injuries. The gypsies werekept mindful of his presence, now by an occasional bellow from theleader, now by a roaring burst of profanity. Ben had disappeared earlyin the morning; and it was for him they were waiting before theyproceeded further.
It was nearly noon-time when he returned. After an interview with Pete,he called Clarence aside.
“Do you know where I have been, my boy?”
“No; where?”
“To McGregor.”
“You have! Is it far from here?”
“It’s ten miles down the river.”
“And what about my parents?”
“They stayed over at McGregor till yesterday afternoon, hoping torecover your body.”
“My body?”
“Yes. They are sure you were drowned. They have been dragging the riverfor you ever since you disappeared. Yesterday, your father had to leave.There’s a reward of one thousand dollars for your body.”
“Gee! I didn’t know I was worth that much.”
“Clarence,” continued Ben, “I’m sorry we’ve kept you. It isn’t all myfault. And I’m sorry about Dora. Pete is a born kidnapper; and he hasmore power than me. Anyhow, no matter what happens, so long as I’m aliveI’ll see that no harm comes to that dear little girl.”
“Ben, you are a good fellow.” And Clarence shook Ben’s hand with vigor.
Within fifteen minutes the gypsies were on the road. They made only fiveor six miles that day, and about two hours before sunset pitched theirtents in a clearing at the river side about fifteen miles north ofPrairie du Chien.
Clarence, at the first opportunity, went to the river and looked aboutfor a good place to swim. There was no need for a search. The suitableplace was awaiting him. He had hardly got into his bathing suit whenEzra appeared and, saying little, followed him into the water.
Ezra was a good swimmer. He used a powerful overhand stroke.
“Say, Ezra, why do you always swim overhand?”
“It’s the best and swiftest,” answered the gypsy boy.
“It may be the swiftest,” returned Clarence; “but it’s no good for along swim. I prefer going sailor fashion.”
“It’s the best for a long swim, if you’ve got the strength to keep itup,” retorted Ezra.
“All the same,” said Clarence, “I’ve got to see the boy who can beat meout in a long distance swim, if he sticks to the overhand.”
“You mean to say you can beat me?” said Ezra.
“Of course, I can,” returned Clarence superbly. “I can beat you or anyof your family.”
“You see that island in the middle of the river?” asked Ezra, pointingas he spoke to a long, low island nearly a mile in length. Clarencelooked at it intently. It was thickly wooded and ended to the south in aclump of willows deeply submerged in the water. The two boys werebathing in a spot facing almost directly the middle of the long island.
“It seems to me I do,” answered Clarence; “and it must be at least halfa mile from us.”
“I’ll race you to the island,” said Ezra.
“You’ll lose,” returned Clarence.
“Hey!” cried Ezra, “hey, Ben! this kid says he can beat me to thatisland. May I race him?”
“Come here, you two,” said Ben, approaching them. As Pete was stillnursing an inflamed neck, face, and temper, Ben was now in command ofthe camp. “Here’s a good place for diving off,” he continued, pointingto a spot where the bank rose three feet or more above the water’s edge.“Stand back, both of you, on a line with me, and when I say ‘go’ startout with a good dive.”
The two lads ranged themselves beside Ben. Clarence appeared to beunusually serious. One would think, looking upon him just then, that thewinning of this race was to him a matter of life and death. The colorhad almost entirely left his cheeks, his mouth was closed tight, hischin thrown out, and his whole poise indicated supreme earnestness.
“Are you both ready?” asked Ben.
“I am,” returned Ezra, who was quite cool and perfectly confident.
“Wait one second,” said Clarence. Then he gravely bowed his head andmade the Sign of the Cross.
“Wait!” came another voice; and all three turning saw Pete’s wifehurrying towards them.
Holding out a skinny finger and pointing it impressively at Clarence,she screamed:
“May you sink, and never come up. May you drown, and your body never befound. May my curse follow you into the other world.”
“Is that all, ma’am?” asked Clarence breaking into his sunniest smile.
The woman choked with rage. She tried to speak, but words and voice bothfailed her.
“Come on, boys,” resumed Ben. “Ready?”
“Yes,” answered the two in a breath.
“Go!”
At the word, the boys sprang into the water. Both disappeared beneaththe surface at the same time. Within a few seconds, Ezra emerged and hishands rose high and fast above his head in the overhand stroke. Severalseconds passed, and those watching on the shore began to show signs ofnervousness. All the gypsies, save, of course, the snarling and profaneinvalid, were now gathered together beside Ben. Even Dora, who was neverto be seen at the river side when the men were swimming, had joined thegazers, standing a few yards apart.
“Oh, Ben,” she cried, “what’s happened to Clarence?”
Ben made no answer. Scanning the surface of the river intently, he waspulling off his shoes.
“He’s drowned! He’s drowned!” screamed the gypsy hag. “My curse hasfallen.” Her laugh, horrible to the ear, rang out carrying in itsundertones all manner of evil omen.
As the woman was speaking, Dora fell upon her knees.
“Holy Mary,” she cried aloud, “save your dear child, Clarence. Rememberhe is not baptized.”
The girl had not yet finished her adjuration when a great shout arosefrom the men and shrill screams from the children. Far out, fully fiveyards ahead of Ezra and as many yards further down stream, Clarence cameto the surface. The boy had been the best long distance diver of all theyoungsters attending Clermont Academy, the eastern boarding school.
A howl of rage arose from the old woman.
“Get up! Get up!” she cried, rushing with outstretched and hooked clawsat the kneeling girl. It was only by the quickest of movements that Benwas able to save the child from bodily injury. As it was, the womandashed into Ben’s rigid and protecting elbow, and, doubled up with pain,retired shrieking and cursing to the genial companionship of herhusband.
Meantime the race went on bravely. The two boys for the next ten minutesretained their respective positions, with, however, one point ofdifference. Ezra was swimming in almost a direct line; Clarence wasbeing carried down the river by the current. As the moments passed, thedistance between the two visibly widened.
Ben was wringing his hands and frowning.
“What is it, Ben?” asked Dora. “Is there any danger? Is there anythingwrong?”
“I’m afraid,” Ben made answer, “that if Clarence doesn’t fight thecurrent more strongly, he may be carried down below the island. Unlesshe’s a wonderful swimmer, there will be danger.”
Ben’s forebodings promised, as the moments went on, to be justified.Both boys were nearing the island, Ezra not more than twenty yards belowthe point from which he had set out. Clarence quite near the clump ofsouthernmost willows.
“Do you think he’ll reach it?” cried the girl.
“I hope so; I don’t know.”
Once more Dora fell upon her knees, and crossing herself, prayed withstreaming eyes to the heavenly Mother in whom she ever confided.
“Look,” cried Ben. “Ezra has reached the island. And Clarence is tryingto swim upstream so a
s not to miss it. My God!” he continued, “I dobelieve he’s giving out!”
A deathly silence had come upon all. Clarence was swimming wildly. Hehad abandoned the sailor stroke and was beating the water with aimlesshands. On the stillness his voice reached them.
“Help! Help!” he cried.
Then throwing up his hands, apparently within a few yards of thewillows, he disappeared in the calm river.