"Nor I; they were good friends to pump her out for us, whoever they were. In my opinion, Mr. Sherwood knows something about this job."
"But slipping the cables looks just as though they intended to have her smashed up on the shore," added Lawry. "The anchors are not here, and, of course, they are on the bottom of the lake. I don't see through this business."
"Nor I, either; but one thing we can see through; the steamer is safe, with the water all pumped out of her. We may as well go to work, and get her over to the ferry."
This was good counsel, and without losing any more time in attempts to fathom what was dark and strange, they commenced the labors of the day.
CHAPTER XIII
GETTING UP STEAM
A survey of the position of the Woodville showed that she was slightly aground at the stern; but Ethan was confident that a few turns of the wheels would bring her off. The boys then tried the pumps; but after less than a hundred strokes they refused to yield any more water. They then carefully examined every part of the interior below the decks.
"She's all right," said Lawry. "What shall we do now?"
"Get up steam," replied Ethan. "I have a couple of hours' work to do on the engine; but we will start the furnaces at once."
"Can't I make the fire?" asked Lawry.