“It’s a tree—a big tree,” Ned reported. “We slid right up on the inclined trunk. I don’t believe we can get off until we all get out of the boat.”
“But how are we going to do that?” asked Andy, for no rowboat was towed behind the Scud.
“Oh, we’ll manage somehow,” Jerry replied. “But first we’ll try shifting the weight, and see what that does. How does she lie, Ned?”
“I’ll take another look, and tell you.”
The boy dived again, and, when he came up, he said:
“If you all go in the stern, and on the port side, I think that will raise the bow enough so she’ll slip off. Try it.”
They did, but it was no use. The Scud was still held fast.
“We’ll have to get out,” said Jerry.
“Then I’ll swim over to one of those boat houses, and see if I can find a rowboat,” went on Ned. “No use in everybody getting wet.”
Ned was lucky enough not only to find an available boat, but to locate a man who offered to help get the Scud off the submerged log. When Bob, Jerry and Andy had been transferred to the dock of the boathouse a plan of procedure was worked out. A rope was attached to the stern of the Scud and, the other end being carried to shore, they all pulled on it.