There was the staccato roar of the engine, and with all their strength Jessie and Amy and Nell and the two boys, leaned against the car.
The roadster, insured against slipping by the log, pulled the rope taut. Slowly, but steadily and surely, the big car crept backward. The mud and slime loosed its hold upon the wheels. A moment more, and the big machine had reached solid ground. The wheels dug savagely into it, sending the car backward with such force that Miss Alling was forced to bear down heavily upon the brake to prevent a smash with Darry’s car.
“Hooray, the day is saved!” shouted Burd. Then he added, with a grin, as he looked at Jessie: “And it was Jessie’s log that saved it.”
“Who cares whose log it was—we’re out! That’s the big thing!” returned Jessie.
“Sure thing, we’re out!” cried Amy. “Three cheers, boys and girls! One—two—three——”
The cheers were given, Miss Alling adding her voice to the six more youthful, and more vociferous, ones.
CHAPTER VIII
RISKY BUSINESS
“And now to cross the river!” said Amy.
“Out of the frying pan into the fire,” laughed Nell. “We just succeed in getting out of the river, and we immediately make plans for getting into it again.”
“Does seem rather foolish, doesn’t it?” agreed Jessie. “However, we can only hope that the river bottom isn’t mud all the way.”