[CHAPTER XV.]
THE BIRD ROOST.
“Sure, it’s just like ye say, Jack!” exclaimed Jimmy, while they were hurrying toward the imperiled boat at full speed. “They do be throwin’ wather out to beat bannigher. Josh has got a bucket and Herb handles a basin. Glory be! but this is a bad job all around!”
Jack was looking beyond the sinking boat.
“I think I can see a little bit of a shore just over there,” he declared, “if only now we can drag the Comfort there before she goes down. You jump aboard with this bucket as soon as we get there. She looks lower in the water already, but one more hand to toss it out may keep her afloat long enough.”
Jimmy was more than eager to lend all the assistance in his power. No sooner had the Tramp run alongside the other boat than he was over the side. Nick, too, had been given the same instructions by George, for he was already laboring with might and main to reduce the amount of water that persisted in entering the big boat through the hole knocked in her bottom by a stump or a submerged log.
“Here, George, lay close alongside, and let’s get fast to her!” Jack called out, realizing that heroic measures were all that would save the imperiled craft now.
Quickly they carried out the plan. Ropes were passed back and forth, so that the Comfort could not really sink, with two such staunch boats buoying her up.