They were by now far away from the ore dock, and the barges that were loading; indeed it was only with an effort they could see either, for a haze had crept over the surface of the lake. The Chippeway Belle had been going along at quite a fair pace, thought making more noise than was agreeable to either Thad or Allan, when all at once, without the least warning there was heard a loud report. Instantly the sound of the engine ceased.
"She's broke down, and we're wrecked already!" yelled Giraffe, excitedly.
"Oh! mercy! and she may explode at any second now!" cried poor Bumpus; after which, in sheer desperation he jumped deliberately overboard, clinging to the side of the swaying craft, and in momentary expectation of hearing a fearful crash, as the gasoline tank went up.
CHAPTER V
THE RESCUE
"Tell us what to do, Thad, and count on us to follow you!" called out Giraffe, rising manfully to the occasion; though to tell the honest truth he looked pretty "white around the gills," as Step Hen remarked later on, when they all found time to compare experiences.
"Just stick to your seats, and don't bother!" was the quick reply Thad sent back.
"Then there ain't any danger?" demanded Davy, drawing the only decent breath he had dared indulge in since that first alarm.
"Not a bit!" called Allan, cheerily.
"And we ain't goin' to have to swim for it then?" Step Hen went on.