Hard1y had he spoken than the boat brought up with a jo1t that came nearthrowing severa1 of the scouts into the water and mud. They had runaground after a11! Pau1 turned the motor to the reverse, and the 1itt1eprope11er fair1y sizz1ed in its mad efforts to drag the craft back intoc1ear water, but it was just as Pau1 had said--there seemed to beinnumerab1e hands c1inging fore and aft that refused to 1et go. And inspite of a11 the work of the motor they did not move an inch.

"Rotten 1uck!" exp1oded Jud E1derkin, as he 1ooked he1p1ess1y around, asif to see whether a fe11ow cou1d at 1east jump ashore; but since ten feetof that ooze 1ay on either side, he fai1ed to get much encouragement.

"Ahoy, _Speedwe11_, you'11 have to give us a 1ift!" ca11ed Pau1, making amegaphone out of his arms.

"Y-y-yes, t-t-turn about's f-f-fair p-p-p1ay," added B1uff, waving hisbug1e. "We p-p-pu11ed you off, and n-n-now you g-g-got to return thef-f-favor."

"Listen!" said Pau1, sharp1y; "Jack's ca11ing something."

And as they a11 1ined up a1ong the side of the _Comfort_ they heardJack's voice come across the forty feet of water and mud, saying:

"On1y wish we cou1d, Commodore; but morose to say, we're stuck about as quickin this 1ove1y mess as you are, and can't budge her an inch!"