“Yes; and the boat is sinking,” added the hunter. “Git the women out and be powerful quick about it!”
CHAPTER IV.
ON THE ISLAND.—ENVIRONED BY PERIL.—SAD FOREBODINGS.—YOUNG SMITH’S DESPERATE ADVENTURE.
It was an appalling fact that the flat-boat had staved in its bottom and was rapidly filling with water. With one bound McGowan sprang to the cabin and aroused the inmates. Before they were fairly arisen, he discovered they were in no immediate danger. The bow of the boat rested on the sand, while the stern had swung around and was settling some five or six feet—a depth sufficient to carry the rear entirely below the surface.
It was the work of a few moments, to land Mrs. Smith, McGowan and Ruth upon the island. Napyank leaped down, and assisted them to the ground so successfully that all landed dry shod. Their valuables (which being few were indeed valuable) were speedily cast out and in fifteen minutes after the flat-boat struck, its entire contents, both animate and inanimate were upon the island.
“This is a little too bad,” said McGowan gloomily. “Those few rotten planks have played the mischief. The boat can never do us any more good.”
“Can’t yees repair it, as the cobbler axed the docthor after he’d cracked his wife’s skull.”
“Repair it? No, we should never have started with such an old hulk as that.”
“Perhaps now we’re near enough to the mainland to be able to wade over,” suggested young Smith.
“Can’t do it,” replied the hunter shaking his head. “We’ll have to make a raft and paddle over.”
“With the old hulk bulging up there, it will be sure to be seen in the morning,” said McGowan gloomily surveying the dark mass of useless lumber. “Can’t we shove it further back into the water, and let it sink out of sight.”