THE SINKING SKIFF
"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.