To add to the unpleasantness of their situation, peal after peal of laughter came from the occupants of the other boat.
"Oh ho! Something has happened to our little ancient mariners," shouted Nat, between bursts of merriment.
"What brilliant seamanship," cried John Hackett. "Oh, my stars, do they take their boat for an automobile?"
The Ramblers could not help but realize that there was a humorous side to the situation, but it failed to appeal to them. Of course the motor was instantly stopped, and they proceeded, for the second time that day, to take stock of damages.
"Why didn't you have the bottom of the river removed?" called Nat. "It's in the way, anyhow, and you might have known what would happen."
A fresh outburst of mirth came from the "Nimrod."
Bob and his followers were not disposed to accept the new turn in events philosophically.
The irrepressible Nat was rattling off a string of comments, accompanied by blasts on the megaphone and shouts from his comrades.
Presently he brought forth a Roman candle, and, lighting the fuse, cried, as its sharp popping sounded: "Whoop la! Signal of distress. Serious accident to a barklet. Captain mistakes bottom of river for surface."
"Did you know that this sand-bank was here?" demanded Sam Randall, angrily.