We'd better slip along shore until we're about opposite
the smokes and land in a small boat."
"All right," agreed Jack. "What do you say, boys?"
"Good idea, I say," offered Harry. "Who do you suppose it is making the
smoke? Wish it were someone from Chicago."
"Maybe it would be a good idea to see how our passenger is getting on,"
suggested Arnold. "I believe I'll slip down and see."
He stepped down the companion way and in a moment the boys heard him
shout excitedly back:
"Somebody come here, quickly. The Fortuna's taking in water fast. It's
up over the floor boards now and the engine is throwing it around in
great shape. Our passenger's gone!"
CHAPTER V
WIG-WAGGING A WARNING
Tom and Harry quickly followed their chum to the cabin, where their eyes
were greeted by the sight of water rising above the floor of the forward
compartment.
"She's started a butt!" declared Tom with a tremor in his usually cheery
voice. "She's started a butt and we'll have to beach her or she'll sink
right out here in the Gulf of Mexico!"
"No, she won't!" snapped Harry. "Get the hand bilge pump going and I'll
start the power pump with the electric light engine!"
Quickly the directions were followed. Tom and Arnold speedily assailed
the rising water with the hand pump, while Harry started the gasoline
engine that operated their dynamo, connecting it to the power pump.
Together the two agencies gained on the rising flood that threatened to
swamp the sturdy Fortuna.
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