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" do you think the steamer will really blow up?" gasped Sam, as the two small boats ranged up beside the larger vessel.

"Perhaps—if they can't get at the boilers to let off steam," was Dick's answer. "But they ought to have safety valves."

"Maybe the man is so excited he doesn't know what he is talking about," put in Tom.

Fortunately the Thistle was not a high boat, but broad and shallow, so the rail of the vessel was but a few feet above that of the launch and the rowboat.

"Come, Dora, and Nellie and Grace!" called out Dick. "We'll help you down." He turned to Stanley. "Can you hold her?"

"Sure! But what are you going to do?"

"Climb up to the rail and help them down."

"I'll do the same!" cried Tom. "Steady the rowboat, Sam!"