Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/370

 her so deep in the water that no speed could be got out of her. The only thing they could do was to go back to camp and finish their sleep.

"But what shall we do to-morrow?" was the question that Joe and his comrades asked themselves and one another. "Our boat is badly stove, and if we can't patch her up, how are we going to get back to Mount Airy?"

Mr. Swan towed the disabled skiff to the shore, her crew swimming alongside or trying to assist him by pushing behind, and the fire was started up again to aid them in making an examination of the injuries she had received. They were fully as severe as the boys expected to find them, and it was a wonder to them that she was so long in filling.

"There's plenty of guides down to the lake that can fix her up for you in good shape," said Mr. Swan.

"Of course," replied Roy. "But the lake is twenty-five miles from here, and there's no way to get her down there."

"Mebbe there is," answered the guide. "For a shilling I'll agree that she shall go