# The Rescue explained — The House on the Cliff

> Chapter companion for The House on the Cliff by Franklin W. Dixon.

## What happens

The Hardy boys rescue a drowning man from the bay after an explosion, rowing him to a farmhouse where he regains consciousness and accuses Snackley of causing the wreck.

## Themes in this chapter

### Courage and Perseverance

Frank and Joe risk danger and exert themselves to rescue a stranger from drowning.

### Mystery and Detection

The rescued man's accusation of Snackley introduces a new mystery about the explosion.

## Character check-ins

### Frank Hardy

Leads the rescue, spots the rowboat, and helps drag the unconscious man to the farmhouse.

### Joe Hardy

Assists Frank in rowing and carrying the rescued man, nearly slipping on the rocks.

### Mr. Jones

The rescued stranger, a young black-haired man who accuses Snackley of causing the explosion.

### Snackley

Mentioned by the rescued man as the one who caused the wreck.

## Key lines

> The Hardy boys knew that they had no time to lose. It was evident from the struggles of the man in the water that he was not an expert swimmer.

Frank and Joe realized the drowning man was not a strong swimmer and acted quickly.

_Sets up the urgency of the rescue._

> It was Snackley! said the stranger, as though talking to himself. Snackley got me—the rat!

The rescued man muttered that Snackley was responsible for the explosion.

_Reveals the antagonist and a key plot point._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_house_on_the_cliff_se/chapters/v-the-rescue
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_house_on_the_cliff_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_house_on_the_cliff_se/chapters