And that was just what had happened. In a manner to be explained later, a lumber raft being towed up the lake by a steam tug had not only broken away, but likewise had broken apart, and the timbers which had composed it were now floating around over a large area of Clearwater Lake.
In another minute the two rowboats were in the very midst of the drifting timbers and in great danger of being upset.
CHAPTER XXI
ASSISTANCE REFUSED
"My gracious! look at the lumber floating around!"
"Be careful, boys! Don't get hit if you can help it!"
"One of those timbers is heavy enough to send us to the bottom!"
"Oh, dear! Do you think we'll be smashed up?"
Such were some of the cries which rent the air as the Rover boys and the girls with them found themselves in the midst of the wreckage from the broken-apart lumber raft.