“Then we’re in a worse plight than I thought we were,” said Mr. Button, “for there’s something wrong with the blades.”
“I guess it won’t make any difference whether the blades are right or wrong, if there’s no gasoline to drive the engine,” said Fred disconsolately.
“We cannot do anything but wait,” said Mr. Button. “The morning will be here before long.”
“And so won’t breakfast,” said Grant dolefully.
“We’ll have no trouble,” explained Mr. Button, “just as soon as it is light. Somebody will be out here fishing and we’ll get help.”
“But we don’t want to wait until morning,” protested Fred.
“If you really don’t want to wait,” said Mr. Button, “then the only thing you can do is for two of you to take the skiff and row ashore.”
“We might get lost,” suggested Fred.
“Yes, so you might,” acknowledged Mr. Button. “I was following a suggestion, that’s all. It’s the only thing which can be done that occurs to me.”
“I don’t think the suggestion is so bad,” said Fred. “We can keep within hailing distance of the Gadabout and it may be that we shall find some other boat nearby, or it may be that we are not very far from the shore.”