“How does it work?”
“Watch and see,” invited Sara. “Burt’s going to make the first dive.”
Though Penny felt that she was none too welcome at the dock, she nevertheless decided to remain. Burt disappeared into the shed, reappearing a minute later in bathing trunks. He and Sara loaded the diving hood into a boat and rowed to the nearby area which had been marked with a can buoy.
Burt adjusted the metal helmet over his head and lowered himself into the water. Once her brother was beneath the surface, Sara worked tirelessly at the pump, feeding him air. Soon Bill Evans drifted by in another boat, watching the salvage operation like a worried mother.
“Think you’ll get ’er?” he asked Sara. “Doggone if I know how an engine could be so hard to find.”
Sara did not bother to answer, but kept pumping steadily.
After many minutes, the metal hood appeared on the surface. Burt Ottman lifted it from his head and took a deep breath.
“Any luck?” Bill asked anxiously.
“I’ll have the engine up in a little bit,” Burt replied. Breasting himself into the boat, he pulled on a rope tied around his waist. With Sara helping, he gradually hauled the lost motor from its muddy bed.
“Oh, say, that’s swell!” Bill cried jubilantly. “How can I thank you?”