“I’ve got to get her!” cried our hero. “She may run against the bank and go to smash.”
“You can’t stop her. She’s too far off. Look at her veer! She’ll capsize in another minute!”
Indeed the unguided craft was slewing about, making quick turns and big circles as the wind blew her. Then Tom cried out:
“I’m going to catch her. Lend me your skates, Bruce.”
“You can’t skate as fast as that boat is going!”
“I can try. Besides I’m not going to do all skating.”
“What then?” asked Jack, curious to know what scheme his chum had in his mind.
“This!” and Tom pointed to the small sail he had been going to rig on the craft when she went off by herself. “I can hold this at my back by the mast, and the wind will blow me along.”
“Good!” cried Bruce, who understood. “That’s the idea Fairfield, here are my skates.”