Something loomed up beside the shaking boat. Darry sprang to the rail and leaned over to examine the black object.
“A log!” he cried. “No wonder she’s leaking. Bet we started every seam in her bow.”
“Never mind talking about it,” Burd advised. “Get on. If we don’t reach the landing——”
“O-ooh! We’re going down!” shrieked Amy.
The launch did give a sudden cant to starboard. When it righted, the standing room was knee deep in water. Darry tried to start the motor again and could not. It was fouled, and they were actually helpless.
“There’s a boathook, Burd!” Darry cried. “Grab it and hook on to that log.”
“That log has done us harm enough already,” complained his sister. “Let it go. Oh!”
“Stop your squealing, Amy!” commanded her brother. “You girls get ready to crawl over on that log.”
“On the log?” cried Jessie in wonder.
“One thing sure, that log won’t sink,” said Darry confidently. “But the old Water Thrush is on her way. Anything you want in the cabin, girls?”