"Stop!" cried Dick, as soon as he saw this accident. "Don't go any further, fellows, it's dangerous!"
"Hellup! safe me!" roared Hans, trying in vain to extricate himself from the oozy bog, while his horse did the same. "Hellup, oder I peen drowned in der mud alretty!"
CHAPTER XIV
OUT OF AN UNPLEASANT SITUATION
Not one of the party was just then in a position to give poor Hans any assistance. All were stuck in the ooze, and one horse after another was slowly but surely sinking.
"We must turn back," cried Songbird, "and do it in a hurry, too."
"Easier said than done," grunted Fred. "My, this is worse than glue!"
"I think the ground on our left is a bit firmer than here," said Sam.
"I am going to try it, anyway."
Not without considerable difficulty, he turned his steed, and after a struggle the spot he had indicated was gained. Dick followed, and so did Tom.
The Rovers were safe, but not so their chums. Hans was the worst off, but Fred and Songbird were likewise in positions of serious peril. Wags was flying around, barking dismally, as though he understood that all was not right.