“Better not say too much until we get back,” answered Ralph. “The best of motor boats kick up sometimes, you know.”
Ralph had scarcely spoken when the kick-up he had mentioned happened. The engine seemed to slow down, the cylinders missed fire one after another, and then, of a sudden, the motor stopped.
“Now what’s the matter?” questioned Randy, in dismay.
“That’s to be found out,” answered Ralph, and his usually confident face showed his concern.
“Gee, I hope we haven’t broken down!” whispered Fred to Randy. “We’re a good many miles from shore.”
Eagerly Ralph looked over the engine, and so did Jack and Gif.
“I think it’s the supply pipe,” announced Ralph presently. “It acts to me as if it was clogged up.”
“Dirty gasoline would do that,” answered Jack. “I wouldn’t put it past some of these strange fellows to sell you any old thing. They don’t care as long as they get your money.”
He and Ralph worked over the supply pipe, which was so tightly fastened on that it took their combined strength to loosen it. The gasoline did not run, and finally with the aid of a fine wire they managed to bring out of the pipe a small quantity of waste filled with black dirt.