“If yer want de boat to go to de right, pull on de left rope,” shouted Jim.
“No, de right one,” corrected Sweet Caporal.
So Jakie Mattenburg took a chance with the right rope and whatever good effect that might have had was immediately counteracted by his brother who paddled frantically on the left side with his broken thwart until he lost it in the water.
This loss might have helped matters some if Jakie had not unshipped the rudder altogether, and hauled it aboard like a rebellious fish, by the long tiller-lines.
“Both sit on de same seat,” commanded Sweet Caporal, and Slats and Slats Corbett took his place alongside him, while the boat rocked perilously.
“Now, both pull together!” called one of the laughing watchers.
So they pulled together with such a frantic stroke that one of the oarlocks was lifted from its socket and dropped into the water. The sudden dislodgment of the oar precipitated Slats against one of the Mattenburg boys who thereupon announced that he would man the oar instead. While he was taking his place Sweet Caporal continued to pull frantically, the oar sliding back in its lock and the boat going around in a circle.
“Put dat rudder on,” commanded Sweet Caporal.
“Can’t find no place it fits inter,” said Jakie, reaching under the water at the stern.
“Well, paddle wid it, den,” said Slats.