  “We shan’t be able to stay on board much longer,” said Fred in a low voice. John made no reply, but his colorless face was clearly seen by his companion, who was fully aware of the anxiety in the heart of his friend. Steadily the little boat was sinking into the waters of Lake Huron. The boys now were wet to their waists and it was manifest that they would not much longer be able to remain in the little skiff. “Maybe she won’t sink,” called Fred. “Perhaps we can keep afloat if we hang to her after she settles down.” Still John made no response. Not very long before he had been the one to try to cheer his companion. He it was who had declared that they had never learned to go backward and that they must be Go Ahead Boys to the end. “There’s no use, Jack,” called Fred. “We can’t stay here any longer. Get your shoes off, if you can.” With difficulty each boy removed his shoes and unmindful of his sweater and their other belongings prepared to leap into the lake. “You take the bow, Jack, and I’ll hang to the stern,” called Fred. “If we each put only one hand on the boat, she may stay afloat long enough to keep us from sinking. Don’t lose your head. Just remember that we aren’t through this fight yet.” Both boys were expert swimmers, although their skill now was of slight avail. It was impossible for them to see the shore of the island from which they had departed and only the low-lying trails of dark smoke indicated what might be on the water far to the west. Together the boys leaped into the water. The boat partly righted itself when it was relieved of its burden, but it was so full of water that only a few inches below the gunwale appeared above the surface. “Come on, Jack,” called Fred as the boys arose to the surface, “let’s turn this tub over so that it will be bottom upward. Maybe it will stay afloat then.” Fred was peering anxiously at his friend, fearful that his courage had gone and that he would be compelled to exert himself to his utmost in order to force John to any action. Whether or not it was the effect of the cool water, John’s courage apparently had returned. At all events in response to the call of his friend he swam quickly toward the boat. Acting upon the directions of Fred he placed one hand on the bow while Fred seized the stern. “Now turn her over,” called Fred and under the united action of the boys the leaking boat speedily reversed its position and lay upon the water, keel upward. “We can keep afloat here all day,” said Fred, speaking with a confidence he was far from feeling. “We’ll have to be careful, but if we rest only one hand on the boat that will keep us afloat and I don’t believe she’ll sink.” Both were aware now of the desperate plight in which they found themselves. There were no indications of help within sight and each understood that unless help came before sunset they were likely to become so chilled by their long stay in the cool waters that they would be unable longer to retain their hold. Before the mind of Fred there came a momentary vision of his far away home. For an instant he fancied he could imagine the scene when the report was received there of the loss of their boy. “Jack,” he called, his voice breaking in spite of his efforts at self-control, “if anything happens to either of us it is understood, isn’t it, that the other fellow will send word?” It was John’s turn now to manifest a strong determination and facing his friend he said, “Don’t give up the ship yet! We have most of the day before us and something will happen.” “I wish we could get that mast over yonder and rig it on the bottom of the skiff. Perhaps some one might see that when they couldn’t see us. We are so close to the water.” “That’s a good suggestion,” said John. “We’re going ahead yet.” Quickly releasing his grasp John swam toward the floating mast, which had been lost when the skiff was overturned. He easily secured it and swam back to the overturned skiff. “Can you break a hole in the bottom, Jack?” asked Fred. “I don’t know; I’ll try it,” responded John. Pounding upon the bottom of the skiff where it had been broken when the boat had struck the rock, he succeeded in making a hole big enough to enable him to thrust the mast into the place. “Never mind the handkerchiefs,” called Fred; “they will dry out and will be floating in the breeze pretty soon. Now the main thing for us to do is simply to hang on and wait until somebody sees that signal of distress.” The moments passed slowly and to both boys there came an increasing fear that their plight was not likely to attract the attention of passing boats. Indeed, apparently there were no boats passing nearby. The low clouds of smoke in the distance were tantalizing in their effect upon the minds of the watching boys. They had no means of estimating the passing of the time. Occasionally they glanced toward the sky into which the sun was steadily mounting, but they were neither in a condition to reflect calmly and so were unable to decide whether they had been in the water an hour or longer. To their delight the skiff seemed to be easily able to hold them up in the water. Occasionally Fred let go his hold and swam about in the water to ‘start his circulation once more.’ Both were becoming chilled, although it was not yet midday. At last the sun reached the zenith and slowly began its descent. The boys now were silent, for conversation had ceased long before this time. Each was watching the other, fearful that the strength of his friend was giving out. In such an event he was aware that he would be unable to render any positive assistance, as his own strength was steadily departing. “Look yonder,” said Fred in a low voice when another hour had elapsed. As he spoke he glanced behind him and John quickly looked in the direction he indicated. Not very far distant was a lake boat which apparently was passing far out of the usual course of the steamers. “Do you suppose,” inquired Fred, “if we should shout together we might make them hear?” “We can try it,” answered John. Accordingly both boys united in a loud and prolonged call. For a time it seemed to both of them that their efforts were unavailing. The ungainly boat was so far away that it was well-nigh impossible for either to determine whether or not it had veered slightly in its course. Convinced that their cry had not been heard both again lapsed into silence though each was still eagerly watching the movements of the distant vessel. Several minutes had passed when John said eagerly, “Fred, I believe that boat is coming this way.” For a moment Fred was silent as he peered still more eagerly at the lake boat. “I don’t see it,” he said disconsolately. “I cannot find that she’s any nearer than she was.” “Well, I think it is,” affirmed John sturdily. “Hang on and we’ll see if she doesn’t come to us.” John’s confident statement, however, was not fulfilled. As if it was unmindful of the peril or the presence of the two boys in their plight, the boat continued steadily on its way until it disappeared from sight. Neither of the boys spoke, but their feeling of depression was steadily deepening. “There’s a loaded boat coming from the other direction,” said John after another hour had elapsed. “That’s out of its course, too. Let’s try it again.” As soon as Fred had looked eagerly in the direction indicated by John he saw another lake boat standing high in the water and evidently bound northward. It was plain that it was not loaded as heavily as the boat which had disappeared in the opposite direction and it also was moving much more rapidly. “Let’s try another yell,” suggested John when at last the boat was on a line parallel with their own. The call of the boys was hoarse and not so loud as the one in which they had united in their former effort. After several attempts the boys waited breathlessly, while in an anxiety they could not express they watched the ungainly craft as it sped over the lake. “John,” called Fred suddenly, “I believe that tub is changing its course and is coming in our direction.” John made no response, but when a few moments had elapsed it was plain that for some reason the boat had veered in its course and swinging to the right was plainly coming nearer to the place where the boys were clinging to the skiff. On and still on came the noisy steamer until the strokes of its blades in the water could be distinctly heard. Several times the boys united in shouts, but at last it was plainly manifest that their signal of distress had been discovered and that the lake boat had turned to rescue the victims of the sinking skiff. Not long afterward a yawl was lowered from the boat and two men took their places at the oars. With strong and steady sweeps they drew near the boys and not many minutes afterward quickly dragged both on board the yawl. The reaction had come to both John and Fred and neither was able to sit erect. Their teeth were chattering as if both were suffering from an ague. Indeed, neither boy was fully aware of the events which were occurring until at last they were somehow brought on board the lake boat. There were willing hands to assist them there and speedily they were taken below, where their wet clothing was removed and after a thorough rub-down by rough but friendly hands they were placed in bunks and covered with blankets. |
|
