“We’re close to the river, Hugh!” sang out Monkey Stallings, “and, gee whiz! how it does seem to be booming along out there! Some current, that, let me tell you. Do you think we could work up against it if we had to, Hugh?”
“Oh, I reckon we could,” the pilot replied carelessly, “though it’d be slow work, and if the engine took a notion to give out we’d have to get our anchor overboard in a hurry to hold fast. But so far as we know there’s no need of our trying such a risky thing as that.”
“Why, look there, boys, isn’t that a house floating along, and bobbing up and down like a cork? Now she turns one way and then another. Some poor family has lost their home up above. It’s too bad, and I only hope they all managed to get safe to the hills before the cabin went. Oh! what’s that clinging to the roof? Seems to me it moved then! Yes, as sure as anything it’s alive!”
As the scout in the bow made this loud outcry, the others all strained their eyes to see. Even Hugh diverted his attention from the steering gear and the working motor to look.
“It’s a boy!” declared Tip Lange, almost immediately.
“And the poor fellow looks like he would soon be tumbled into the river when that cabin takes a notion to turn all the way over!” added Billy.
“Oh! what can we do?” cried Monkey, his voice filled with pity. “Hugh, would you dare chase after that floating house and try to rescue the poor chap?”
Hugh had to think quickly when the question was put up to him in that way. Naturally his first impulse would be to say “go,” because he felt keenly for the desperate situation of that boy who dared not leave his floating refuge. It might be because he could not swim, and that raging torrent was enough to give the best swimmer reason for holding back. Still, Hugh had also to remember that it would be risking four lives for one if he decided to make the try.
“We’ll save him if we can,” he said finally, after looking everything in the face. “If the current is too swift to let us get back again to-night, why what’s to hinder our tying up to the bank and waiting? There’ll be another day coming.”
“Yes, and scouts ought to know how to rustle for grub at some house they’d find ashore,” added Billy, who, it may be remembered, was especially fond of hearing the dinner bell ring, or catching some other camp summons that told of a waiting meal.