Part 37 (1/2)
”Without Crocker's story we have no more evidence than we ever had,” Mr.
Parker declared in disgust.
Penny tapped the big rock with the half-completed carving. ”You have this stone, Dad. If you could photograph it in this unfinished state, wouldn't it tell its own story?”
”We have no camera here, and the river is rising fast. How long would it take you to get to town and back, Jerry?”
”I might make it in thirty minutes.”
”Before that time, this shack will be under water.”
Anxiously, Mr. Parker gazed at the dark, angry flood which swept so close to the door of the cabin. Inch by inch it was eating away a board walk which led to a pier and a boat tied to it.
”Dad!” Penny suddenly cried. ”If only we could get this stone into the boat we could float it to Riverview!”
”Not a chance,” Mr. Parker returned briefly. ”Both would sink.”
”We're completely out of luck,” added Jerry. ”At the rate the water is coming up, this shack will be awash in another fifteen minutes.”
”Dad,” Penny went on determinedly, ”if we could make a heavy raft, couldn't the stone be floated? It might be towed behind the boat.”
”A raft? There's nothing from which to make one.”
”Yes, there is!” Penny pointed to several barrels, up-ended in a dark corner of the shop.
”It's an idea!” cried Jerry. ”We have Crocker's tools! This story means a lot to you, Chief. Isn't it worth a try?”
”Maybe it is,” Mr. Parker conceded, and then with sudden enthusiasm: ”Let's get to work. By moving fast we may yet outwit Old Man River!”
CHAPTER 25 _PRECIOUS CARGO_
Working with feverish haste, Mr. Parker and Jerry constructed a raft of eight empty barrels, wiring them together into one solid unit. Penny aided the two men as best she could, holding tools and offering suggestions which were not especially appreciated.
”Run outside and see that the boat is all right,” Mr. Parker instructed her. ”We mustn't let it float away.”
Obeying, Penny discovered that already the river was flowing in a shallow, muddy stream over the pier. The swift current tugged at the underpinning, threatening to carry it away. Wading through the water, she reached the boat and drew it close to the shack where she retied it.
By the time she finished, her father and Jerry had completed the raft.
”How will you ever get the stone on it?” Penny asked anxiously. ”It must weigh several hundred pounds.”
”Just watch,” grinned Jerry.
During Penny's absence, he and Mr. Parker had constructed a small square platform of rough boards, equipped with four tiny rollers. Getting the stone on it, they were able to trundle it outside to the raft with a minimum of exertion.
”Now dump her on easy,” Mr. Parker ordered Jerry. ”If she sinks, our story sinks too.”
Together they rolled the heavy stone from the platform to the raft which immediately began to settle beneath the great weight.
”It's going under!” Penny screamed.