Part 39 (2/2)
”No: couldn't do it We must stand out hast: ”with the boat filling ater?”
”Well, we can't go the other way Besides, if we did old Joe would see us pass by, and there'd be a row”
”Well, he et back,” Mike muttered to himself ”But, Vince,” he cried, ”hadn't we better run ashore somewhere?”
”Yes: where's it to be?” said the boy, with a curious laugh ”Nonsense!
We should only sink her at once There, Iwe can do, Mikey Turn her head to it, and run right across the tide It's getting slacker here Keep her head well to it I won't let her sink”
Mike groaned
”Hullo!” cried Vince cheerily, ”is it hard work?”
There was no reply, but the boat careened over as froht the full force of the wind, and they began to run swiftly towards the south-east, right out to sea, but with the intent of running back after reaching well out to south of the island
It see as she did, but Vince was right It was their only chance; and after a fewto do a stupid thing I ought to hold that sheet inBe on the look-out, Ladle Mind you throw her up in the wind if she goes over too much”
As he spoke hethe pot in both hands, began to make the water fly over the side
”I say, Ladle,” he cried, ”when I' splendidly with all this water ballast in her?”
”Yes,” said Mike huskily ”Are you getting it down?”
”Yes, a little Not ht”
”Aren't we going out too far to sea?”
”No; just right Now, then, don't talk I want allhis teeth, the boy baled away, and by slow degrees lowered the water a good deal; but he could not cease for a h the leak, nor did he dare to push the jersey farther, for fear of loosening the plank er hole
This went on for fully half an hour, with the island getting more and more distant, and Mike twice over asked if it was not time to make for the shore
But Vince shook his head, after a glance back at the south point, and worked away at the baling
”Now,” he said suddenly, ”I want to go on, but I' slow Be ready to jump into my place and scoop it out I'll catch hold of the oar Ready?”
”Yes”
”Now then”
The exchange was quickly effected, the water sent flying with y, and Vince pressed upon the oar as he rested hih the sea
”You're giving it to her too hard,” reerously near the surface