In a few minutes, sent more and more rapidly down the stream, Frank saw through the darkness, or what might be described as a night half-light, the landings at the island. As he drew closer he was able to make out the blurred outlines of other boats tied there, rocking slowly to and fro with the lapping of the passing current.
Now came the problem in Frank’s mind of making a landing safely without bumping into other boats or without putting the Rocket against the landing with too much force, nose first.
“Lanky! Quick! Get forward with your oar. No! Take the oar!” for Lanky had started to lay it aside in obeying the sudden command. “Hold it out in front and reach the landing. Then hold us back from hitting too hard!”
Lanky did as he was told and his long arms and body reached forward of the bow, with the oar held as far in front of him as was possible, until he touched the landing with its blade. All his muscles froze tight as he felt the rush of the Rocket toward the landing. For a second it seemed he would be swept back, but he held tensely to his position. The strength of the lad’s arms was great enough, and success came of the trial. The Rocket’s speed slowed down.
Bump! It was only slight, not enough to do damage to the bow of the boat, but it awoke the sleeping Paul and Ralph.
“What’s the matter?” cried Paul, rubbing his eyes and tried to locate himself. “Are we back in town?”
“No, just at the island where we had that accident. Out of gas and trying to find some,” muttered Lanky Wallace.
Frank’s imaginings now were of the worst, though he tried to keep a stiff upper lip, and did so, thinking hard as to the best course to take. How long would they be in their quest for gas? What would this loss of time mean in the race for a life that he was making? Would his father, fighting for his life back at the Columbia hospital, be strong enough to hold out until he could get back with the heart stimulant? Would the doctor fight for all he was worth while waiting for him, and would he succeed in staying the fatal moment until he could arrive to give his father one more chance at life?
All four of the boys stepped to the landing, Lanky taking the end of the rope to make it fast to the tie-stake.
“What’s the first move? Where do we find gas?” Paul asked.