“They’re shipwrecked now, all right!” cried Tom.
“Yes, indeed they are,” said Mr. Martin.
“We’ll have to go to their help,” cried Uncle Ben, above the roar of the wind and the patter of the rain. “We’ll have to go to the rescue!”
CHAPTER XX
THE QUEER BOX AGAIN
Ted and Janet, as well as Lola and Tom, heard what Uncle Ben and Mr. Martin said. And the same thought came to the Curlytops and their friends.
“Oh, take us with you!” begged Teddy.
“We couldn’t think of it, my boy,” answered his father. “There may be hard work in getting those men out of the water, and besides, in this storm I couldn’t dream of taking you little children out on the lake; could we, Uncle Ben?”
“No, indeed!” was the answer, and the sailor ran across the dock to loosen a large rowboat, in which he and Mr. Martin intended to go to the rescue.
“But we want to see you save the shipwreck!” exclaimed Ted. “Please Daddy, mayn’t we go?”
“Of course not!” answered his father. “But if you’ll promise not to fall off the pier you may stay here and watch us. You can see all that happens from here.”