Merry flung his blood-stained weapon aside and bent over the man,
saying sincerely:
"I hope your wound is not fatal, M. Montfort."
"It makes no difference!" gasped the man. "You are ze victor, so I must
stay here an' die jus' ze same."
But Frank Merriwell was seized by a feeling of horror at the thought of
leaving this man whom he had wounded. In a moment he realized he would
be haunted all his life by the memory if he did so.
Quickly he caught M. Montfort up in his arms. He sprang to the side of
the steamer. The boat was holding in for him. His friends shouted to
him. The captain ordered him to jump at once.
"Catch this man!"
He lifted M. Montfort, swung him over the rail, and dropped him fairly
into the boat!
"He has chosen," said the captain. "The boat will hold no more. Pull
away!"
It was useless for Frank's friends to beg and plead. Away went the boat,
leaving the noble youth to his doom.
Forty minutes later there was a terrible flare of fire and smoke, a
thunderous explosion, and the ill-fated steamer had blown up.
Harry Rattleton was crying like a baby.
"Poor Frank!" he sobbed. "Noblest fellow in all the world--good-by! I'll
never see you again!"
Tears rolled down Bruce Browning's face, and Jack Diamond, grim and
speechless, looked as if the light of the world had gone out forever.
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