"I should have thought Diamond would keep his mouth closed," thought Frank. Hodge's turn came next, and he, too, left the bridge promptly. Henderson weakened when the command came to him. Instead of jumping he drew back with a little gasp. "Jump, neophyte!" exclaimed Baker, in a low but stern voice. "It's too late for you to hope for any special consideration now. What others have done you must do, too!" "Great Scott!" muttered Henderson. Frank heard his steps wavering upon the planks, and then, with a little quivering cry, the frightened neophyte jumped over. The splash that followed his jump was very loud, and it was followed by a lot more of splashing. "Thunder and Mars!" cried Baker, "the rope's broken." "Do you suppose he can swim?" inquired the voice of Rowe, anxiously. "How can he with his hands tied?" "Then he'll drown." "We mustn't let him!" "Did one of you bring along that boat hook that I told you to bring?" "Yes, here it is." "Catch it into his clothes before he floats too far." "Whew! how fast the tide runs!" "Have you got him?" "Yes. No! the hook's got loose." "Try again, then, quick!" "Good Lord! suppose he's become unconscious from fear, there'd be no saving him then." Frank ached to have his bandage removed and his hands unbound so that he could go to the help of his companion. "When it comes my turn to conduct an initiation I'll bet I'll fix things so that there won't be any such accident as this," he thought. "It's outrageous to put an unoffending fellow like Henderson through this sort of trial and then let a slip occur." It was a great temptation to Frank then to forcibly release his hands and jump into the water after Henderson, but he reflected that after all there were plenty of seniors present who had courage and who knew the water well. He decided that it was best to leave the matter in their hands, but he listened anxiously for some sound of Henderson's voice to assure him that all was well. He did not hear Henderson's voice, but he did hear a great many more exclamations of anxiety and doubt as the seniors seemed at last to get the big hook securely fastened in the neophyte's clothing. Then there was a lot of tugging and hauling, and after a time the sound of retreating footsteps. "I guess Henderson will come out of it all right," thought Frank, "for it seems that he can walk." "It's nearly time to close the draw," said Baker, hastily. "Now, Neophyte Merriwell, it's your turn. Remember your instructions, and when I give the word, jump." Frank shrugged his shoulders. It was a slight action, but the seniors could see it, for a big electric lamp upon one of the bridge pillars lighted the scene brilliantly. It was very evident that Merriwell's nerve had not been shaken. "Be ready to pull him out at once, boys, and don't let the rope slip this time!" said Baker. "One--two----"