"Oh, George Hendon, right on my foot!" cried Helen.
"Careful now," commanded Fanny. "I'm awfully sorry to make all this trouble, and—"
"O—h—h! we're sinking! we're sinking! Help! help!"
And the next moment it became known to them all that Hatty had mistaken the boat plug for the cork of the water bottle, had pulled it out, and that now the river was pouring in with appalling swiftness.
"Pull for the flats, fellows!" shouted Ralph, tearing off his jacket as he spoke. "Here, George, see if you can stuff this coat into the hole; and, girls, keep perfectly quiet, or you'll overturn the boat. Don't mind if you do get wet, but sit still."
Ralph spoke in loud, commanding tones that were at once obeyed; but the danger was by no means over. The boat was settling rapidly, the water being already half-way up to the thwarts, but ruined skirts and soaked shoes were never thought of as all sat watching breathlessly, now George's efforts to stop the leak, now the light streak on the river that marked the edge of the flats, and which was still several yards distant.
"Pull! pull!" cried Ralph, working himself with all his strength. "Can't you stop it, George? We're nearly there, girls."
Higher and higher rose the water in the boat; again and again was George baffled in his attempts to stem the incoming floods, as in the crowded condition of the stern he could not see what he was doing, and to ask any one to move would be to endanger capsizing the whole party. And all the while the sun shone brightly down on the sparkling river; the village, too, was still in sight, and not far off was the shady island where the picnic was to be held. It seemed terrible to think of going down, down amid such—
"Saved!" suddenly shouted Ralph, as the boat shot out from the channel and in among the eel-grass. "Somebody's sure to see and take us off very soon, and meanwhile you needn't mind sitting in the water, as long as it isn't up to your eyes. It's salt, so you won't catch cold."
Nevertheless the situation of the party was anything but a pleasant one, for the boat settled until it touched bottom, and then careened over, throwing both Graham Burd and Phil Hallibey into the river.