"Yes, and right now it don't work decent," observed Step Hen. "It
misses an explosion every third one, and acts like it might go out of
business any minute on us, that's right, fellows."

Some of the rest began to look sober at this. Giraffe, who had thought
to have a joke at the expense of his plump rival, no longer lay there,
sprawled upon the roof of the hunting cabin of the launch; but sat up to
observe the singular actions of the engine for himself. Nor did he,
appear to get much consolation from what he discovered.

"I declare now if it ain't a fact, boys," he said, seriously. "She acts
mighty like she wanted to throw up the sponge, and let us hustle to get
ashore the best way we could. Of all the contrary things commend me to
a balky engine on a cruiser. And Dr. Hobbs was thinkin' his friend was
doing us the greatest favor going to loan him this old trap, that like's
not he keeps heavily insured, in the hopes that some fine day she'll go
down, when he can buy a newer and better, model with the money he
collects."

"Oh! I wouldn't say that, if I were you, Giraffe,"' remarked Thad.
"From the way the gentleman wrote to Dr. Hobbs I'm sure he thought he
was doing us a favor; and you know it's bad manners to look a gift horse
in the mouth. If he was charging us a round sum for the use of the boat
we, might say something; but outside of the gasoline we consume we don't
have to put out a cent."

"But do you really expect the rickety old engine'll go back on us before
we get to that harbor you're heading for?" demanded Bumpus.

"How can I tell?" Thad replied. "I'm doing everything I know of to coax