"Come on!" cried Chot. "I know a short cut we can take across the lots, and get ahead of the junk man. Come on!"
He led Rick and Tom down a lane, past the small electric light station, and out into the field. The boys had not gone very far before Rick cried:
"Say this is a regular swamp! There's a lot of water here!"
"'Tisn't deep!" said Chot. "It won't no more than go over the tops of your shoes! Come on!"
He was in the lead, but the others were close behind him. Suddenly Rick gave a cry.
"What's the matter?" asked Chot, turning toward his chum. "Do you see the junk wagon?"
"No, but I'm sinking down! I'm sinking, Chot! It's way up over the tops of my shoes now! I'm stuck in the mud! I can't pull my feet out!" yelled Rick.
CHAPTER XIV
THE OLD CABIN
Chot and Tom, who had run on a little ahead of Rick, stopped and looked back at their chum as they heard his cries. Rick had also come to a stop, more because he had to, than because he wanted to.
"Come on back and help me!" he called to his friends.