The boys were coming around a bend of the river when they heard a peculiar noise in the distance.
"What do you make that out to be?" asked Jack, as the noise continued.
"I think I know," answered our hero. "It is the new tugboat from the bay. I saw it once, several weeks ago. It makes a very odd sound, for the engine is not like the ordinary ones."
The noise kept coming closer and presently the tugboat came into view. It was stuck in the mud and those on board were doing what they could to get the craft afloat again.
"They seem to be having a hard time of it," remarked Jack, as he stopped rowing to watch the proceedings.
"The mud is very sticky here, if you'll remember," answered Randy. "Don't you remember how we were stuck here last year?"
"Yes, and how I lost an oar overboard and nearly went overboard myself," continued Jack, with a short laugh. "Heigh-ho! Randy, I'll be sorry in a way to lose it all."
"We must write to each other."
"Of course."
The tug was puffing and snorting viciously to get out of the mud. On board were four people who were evidently passengers, including a lady with a little girl.