The water was somewhat colder than they had anticipated, and the
effect upon Sam was disastrous. The youngest Rover had eaten
more heartily than either of his brothers and this made him sick
at the stomach. However, as he did not wish to alarm Dick and
Tom and so spoil their fun, he said nothing about his condition.

"Let us race each other," suggested Tom, and started off up the
shore, with Dick close beside him. Sam brought up in the rear,
but soon gave up the contest.

"Help!" The single cry reached the ears of Tom and Dick when
they were fully a hundred feet from the Spray. Both turned just
in time to behold Sam throw up his arms and sink from view.

"Great Caesar!" burst out Dick. "What can that mean?"

"Maybe he is only fooling," replied Tom.

"Yet I wouldn't think he would be so foolish."

"I don't think Sam is fooling," said Dick seriously, and at once
struck out to where the youngest Rover had gone down. Of course
Tom went with him.

To reach the spot was not an easy matter, and they were still
some distance away when they saw Sam come up again. Then there
was a wild circling of arms and the boy disappeared once more.

"He is drowning!" gasped Dick hoarsely.