Even Nick was made to lend the power of his muscles to the good work.
“If we could only get the full force of his weight, she’d come with a rush,” Josh had declared, though the fat boy only noticed the slur with a smile and a nod.
“Are you all ready to pull?” asked Jack, who, being master of ceremonies, had the leading position on the line.
“Sure we are; get busy, Jack, darlint!” sang out Jimmy.
“Then altogether now, and away we go!—one, two, three! She moved that time, fellows, I tell you. Once more now, yo-heave-o! That was worth talking about, and she jumped six inches. Again, and put every ounce of muscle into it! Now, then, up with her! Another turn! That’s the way to do it, boys!” And Jack continued to encourage his mates to do their level best until they had dragged the Comfort up the skids to a point where one could crawl underneath her exposed keel.
[CHAPTER XVI.]
A SCREECHER FROM THE NORTH.
All of them awaited the verdict with bated breath. Jack was down on his back under the boat, and carefully examining the fracture made by the snag.
“We can mend it, all right,” he announced, as he finally snaked his way out.