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Rh "I'm very sorry to say that's my opinion," spoke the clerk. "Still, they may have been picked up, and saved. It's hard to get any communications through, as so many wires are down. That's all the information I can give you."

"Thanks; now we'll start on the search," spoke Mr. Ringold. "Perhaps you can tell me where I can hire a motor launch."

This the clerk was able to do. A man had a large craft he was willing to charter, though he wanted a heavy price for it.

"But boats are scarce," he declared, "and they're badly needed in the rescue work."

"That's what we want this one for," said Mr. Ringold. "Now we'll get her into commission."

The Clytie, which was the name of the craft, was roomy enough to accomodate the two boys, Mr. Piper and the manager. Blake and Joe had learned to run a gasoline launch, and Mr. Ringold himself was an expert motorist, so there would be no need of a helper.

"But you want to look out for treacherous currents," the owner of the craft warned them. "The river is worse than it's been in years. And remember, you've got to pay the bill if the boat is damaged."

Putting the boat into commission was not so quickly accomplished as Mr. Ringold had hoped.