"I don't see how you let an accident happen before we even got
started," complained the gold-seeker. "I should think your
steersman would have been more careful."

"He is very careful," explained Tom. "But we have not used the
craft for some time, and, meanwhile, there have been changes in
the river, due, I suppose, to heavy tides. But we may get out of
the grip of the mud bank soon."

"And if we don't, what then?" asked Mr. Hardley.

"Then there is always the torpedo tube," said Tom calmly. "And
we are not very deep down. I think I can save you all."

"I certainly hope so!" was the fretful comment of the
adventurer. "I have too much at stake to be drowned like a rat in
a trap! You must send me up first if it becomes necessary to use
the tube."

Tom did not answer. But as he looked out of the observation
windows to see if possible the conformation of the mud bank, the
young inventor whispered to Ned one word. And that word was:

"Yellow!"

"You said it!" was Ned's whispered rejoinder.

Tom Swift arrived at a sudden determination. Once again the
motors were stopped, and the boat gradually assumed an even keel.