"Could the houseboat get through here?" questioned Fred.
"Yes, they could pole her through, with hard work," answered Dick.
They turned the gasoline launch to shore and tied fast. Then all began to leap out.
"This won't do," cried Dick. "Somebody ought to remain on the launch."
"I would like to go with you and look for the houseboat," answered
Harold Bird. "I think the launch will be safe where she is."
"If you want me to stay I'll do it, if Songbird will stay with me," said Fred.
"I'll stay," said Songbird, promptly.
So it was arranged, and leaving the two in charge of the gasoline launch, all the others of the party set off on their search for the missing houseboat.
Walking along the shore of the small lake was decidedly treacherous, and more than once one or another would slip down in the mud and slime.
"Hellup!" cried Hans, who had dragged behind, and looking back they saw the German lad in a bog hole up to his knees. "Hellup, oder I vos trowned alretty!"