The on the March Part 11 (2/2)

”Maybe an hour--if we're lucky.”

”You're a fine engineer, not to have the boat ready to start!” screamed Jeff, mad with rage. ”You'll lose your berth for this!”

”Guess I can get another,” replied the engineer calmly. ”It's been done on purpose and it's the business of the deck watch to keep the stern clear, not mine.”

With frantic haste a man was sent overboard. He dived and found the propeller. Bessie heard his report. The screw was twisted around with rope--knotted and tied so that, even with a knife he would have to make many descents to clear it. Without a diving suit it was impossible for the man to stay under water more than half a minute at a time, and, as it turned out, he was the only man on board who could dive at all.

Jeff raged in vain. The work of clearing the propeller could not be hastened for all his bellowing, and the precious minutes slipped by while the diver worked. Each time that he came up for rest and air he reported a little more progress, but each time, too, as he grew tired, his period of rest was lengthened, while his time below the water was cut shorter.

And then, when he had reported that two more trips would mend the trouble, there was a sudden b.u.mping of boats against the yacht, on the sh.o.r.eward side, which had been left without watchers, it seemed, and there was a rush of feet overhead. Bessie cried out in joy, and the next instant a dozen men tumbled down the steps and overpowered Larry.

”Are you Bessie King?” asked their leader. ”I've got a search warrant empowering me to search this yacht for you and one Zara Doe and take you ash.o.r.e.”

”We're the ones! Take us!” pleaded Bessie.

And, sobbing with joy, she went up the steps to the deck. There Jeff, furious but powerless in the grip of two men, watched her go over the side and into a small boat in which sat Eleanor, who threw her arms joyously about the recovered captives. Dolly was there, too, and she kissed and hugged Bessie as soon as Eleanor was done.

”The men got here in time from Bay City,” said Eleanor. ”Thank Heaven! A few minutes more, and they would have been too late. I telephoned as soon as I could, and I knew the district attorney there was a friend of Charlie Jamieson. He came at once with his men.”

”The propeller was fouled. That's why they couldn't get away,” said Bessie. ”Wasn't that lucky?”

Dolly snorted.

”Luck nothing!” she said, perkily. ”I swam out with a rope, and they never saw me! I was there, diving up and down, for half an hour. I thought they'd have a lovely time getting it clear when the knots I made had swollen up!”

”Yes, it was Dolly who saved the day,” said Eleanor.

”Shall we row you ash.o.r.e, ma'am, or do you want to see the rest of the fun on board?” asked one of the oarsmen.

”Take us ash.o.r.e, please. I'll hear all about it later,” said Eleanor.

And in five minutes the Camp Fire Girls were reunited.

<script>