"And who'd want a finer cushion than our Nick?" remarked Herb.
"Nature knew what was needed, when he was padded and filled out so well," Josh managed to work in with; "and if ever I needed a bumper, I'd pick him out first thing."
"Get out!" snapped Nick; but all the same he grinned as though complimented.
On the following morning, then, they made an early start, for there was considerable of a distance to be covered ere they could reach the hospitable docks of Charleston by the sea.
Jack knew that their supply of gas was growing alarmingly low. Indeed, George had already been obliged to borrow from the Comfort, as that craft had the largest reservoir and could spare a little.
"It's going to be a close shave to get us there," he remarked, as they started.
"What if my tank goes empty again?" demanded George.
"I've been thinking of that," said Jack. "As a last resort then, we'll make camp, empty all we've got into one tank, and that boat can go after a new supply."
"That's the ticket!" cried Josh.
"It takes Jack to solve these maddening puzzles!" declared Nick, with a look of affection in the direction of the chum who never failed them.