"Let's hope those fellows know how to bend a rope," soliloquized the Scoutmaster, as the Sea Scouts began to heave taut on the small but powerful winch. "And I hope there'll be no traffic along this branch of the stream. If there is there'll be a good chance of a nasty accident."
He regarded the rope with misgivings. It was sagging with the tremendous rush of water in spite of the strain upon it.
At first foot by foot, and then inch by inch the warp came inboard, until not another turn of the winch could be made.
"Now, full speed astern again," ordered Mr. Armitage.
"She's moving!" exclaimed Flemming.
"Not a bit of it," declared Stratton.
The Patrol-leader was right. The Olivette showed no tendency to disengage herself from the tenacious embraces of the island.
"I'm afraid it's no use keeping you fellows," said the Scoutmaster addressing the four scouts. "If you are going up as far as Reading, perhaps you might report our plight to one of the river-side yards."
The pair-oared skiff pushed off, and was soon lost to sight in a bend of the river. It was now sunset.
"There's no reason why we should go hungry, even if we are hard and fast aground," observed Mr. Murgatroyd. "I'm peckish, very; and I guess you hard-working lads are too. Let's get some tea."