Of course, both boys were immediately drenched, but of this they thought nothing. Both had their coats off at the time, on account of the afternoon heat, which turned out to be a lucky thing for them, since their movements were apt to be less fettered and confined in consequence.
Foot by foot they made their way forward. Jack’s advice to always retain one grip until the other hand could take hold of something ahead saved Josh more than once from being thrown overboard. A little recklessness would have cost him dear in a case like that.
Finally Jack seemed to have gained his end, for he was bending down over the anchor when a flash of lightning enabled the other boy to see him again. Josh, determined to have a hand in casting the mudhook overboard, hastened to join him.
“The end of the cable is fast all right, is it, Jack?” he shouted, as together they took hold of the rusty iron anchor.
“Yes. I made sure of that before we started, and tested the cable in the bargain,” he was instantly assured.
It was a good thing some one had been so careful, for Josh himself had evidently not given the matter a single thought.
“Look out not to get a leg tangled in the rope, Josh!” shouted Jack.
“I will, all right!” the other replied, knowing that in such an event he would be dragged overboard like a flash.
So the anchor was let go.
There was no result until the whole of the cable had been paid out. Jack waited anxiously to see what followed, though he knew fairly well it would steady the drifting boat and turn the bow into the storm again.