grumblers would no doubt start to work in their customary way, and find
cause for venting their disgust because things did not come out as they
might have wished; but even Giraffe was bubbling over with satisfaction
when he realized that they had actually managed to cheat the storm after
all.

It had been a close shave, however, and only for that bright thought on
the part of Thad, they might at that very moment have been drifting far
away, with their boat slowly but purely sinking, despite all the baling
they could accomplish.

But then, what was the good of scout-masters if they were not able to do
the thinking for the crowd, the reckless Giraffe would possibly have
said, if the question had been put up to him.

Everybody was working like the busy bees; even Bumpus tried to assist in
hauling at the cable, having moved forward when the boat no longer
pranced and bobbed on the agitated sea like a skittish horse.

Of course, as the water was coming in so fast, the cruiser was bound to
presently strike bottom; but it was the design of Thad to work her in
just as far as possible, for as they had a block and tackle aboard he
hoped they would be able to make some sort of rude "ways," where she
might be hauled out later on, patched up, and their interrupted cruise
continued.

"Stuck fast, Thad; she's on bottom, and no use straining to try and get
her another inch toward the shore!" announced Allan, presently; and all
of them realized that he spoke the absolute truth when he said this.