"All right here," answered Paul, who was on the shore.
"Let her go!" cried Dick, taking a firmer grip of the steering wheel.
There was a creaking of the ropes and pulleys. The cables tautened; the blocks were lifted up from the ground by the strain. The rope around the axle of the car straightened out. There was a snapping, tugging sound, and then the car began to move slowly.
"She's coming!" cried Paul.
"Keep moving!" urged Dick.
He turned the steering gear about to free the front wheels from the clinging mass of mud. The car moved faster. Then, as the horses settled to their collars, the big touring machine was slowly pulled from the water.
Then the front wheels struck the planks laid down to receive them, splitting one of the boards. Up the slope went the Last Word amid the cheers of the assembled farmers. Up the slope and out on the road, where Dick called for a halt, and jammed on the brakes.
"Whew! I'm glad that's over!" exclaimed Paul.
"The same here!" added Innis. "Is she all right, Dick?"
"I don't know. I'm just going to have a look," and the young man bounded out of his car, and cast a hasty glance over the running gear. That seemed to be intact, save for the broken brake. The engine was next looked to, Dick starting it, with the gears unmeshed. It ran as soon as the electrical switch was turned, and the hum and throb told that it was in perfect condition.