“Dad!” Penny suddenly cried. “If only we could get this stone into the boat we could float it to Riverview!”
“Not a chance,” Mr. Parker returned briefly. “Both would sink.”
“We’re completely out of luck,” added Jerry. “At the rate the water is coming up, this shack will be awash in another fifteen minutes.”
“Dad,” Penny went on determinedly, “if we could make a heavy raft, couldn’t the stone be floated? It might be towed behind the boat.”
“A raft? There’s nothing from which to make one.”
“Yes, there is!” Penny pointed to several barrels, up-ended in a dark corner of the shop.
“It’s an idea!” cried Jerry. “We have Crocker’s tools! This story means a lot to you, Chief. Isn’t it worth a try?”
“Maybe it is,” Mr. Parker conceded, and then with sudden enthusiasm: “Let’s get to work. By moving fast we may yet outwit Old Man River!”
CHAPTER
25
PRECIOUS CARGO
Working with feverish haste, Mr. Parker and Jerry constructed a raft of eight empty barrels, wiring them together into one solid unit. Penny aided the two men as best she could, holding tools and offering suggestions which were not especially appreciated.