This time they seemed to have been driven with such speed that the boat slid far up on the rock, and immediately careened toward the larboard.
“We’re going over this time, sure!” shouted Giraffe; and there was not one of his companions but whose mind was filled with the same fear; for it seemed as though nothing could prevent such a catastrophe from happening.
CHAPTER XII.
HEARTS COURAGEOUS.
It was a time of terrible suspense as the boat tilted so far on one side that one or two of the boys slipped, and fell, as though they were straddling a bobsled, and on a steep down grade.
Higher still reared the one side of the cabin, until it seemed as though the hearts of some of the boys were in their throats.
“Get on the other side, everybody, quick!” Thad was shouting now, and the sound of his clarion voice thrilled them as nothing else could have done.
It was not so easy to obey, such was the dreadful slope to the floor of the cabin; but Giraffe gave a helpful hand to struggling Bumpus, and on the other side Allan fastened a good grip on the stout one, so that between them both he was speedily landed where he would do the most good.
Immediately the effect of this change of base began to make itself felt, for instead of continuing to rear up, that side of the boat settled slowly back.
“She’s slipping, and turning around!” cried Giraffe; “we’re going to get off the old turtle-back rock, don’t you forget it! Whoop!”
As he gave that last yell the shanty boat did indeed settle on an even keel, and once more there was a buoyancy and motion to her. This told even Bumpus, who was not supposed to know a great deal about boats, that they were free from all entangling alliances, and once more racing madly down the river at the mercy of the flood.