Part 25 (1/2)

At that point Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father took a hand, introducing various games. The fun revived. However, everyone appeared relieved when the gathering began to break up at nine-thirty.

Mr. Manheim took two boatloads of Cubs and their parents to sh.o.r.e and returned for the third. Meanwhile, Jabowski had made one trip in the much slower raft.

”One more trip will wind it up,” the island owner estimated, counting the Cubs who were to remain overnight at their camp. ”I can take five, and the others all can get on the raft.”

”Seven on the raft?” Mr. Hatfield interposed in disapproval. ”Isn't that loading it rather heavily?”

”Not at all,” Mr. Manheim returned, annoyed to have his judgment questioned. ”The raft was built to carry a much heavier load.”

”It seems st.u.r.dy enough, but there are no rails-”

”Jabowski will keep his eye on the boys.”

Dismissing the matter, the island owner filled his speedboat to capacity and pulled away. Following orders, Jabowski herded the remaining Cubs aboard the raft.

When all were seated who were to leave the island, not a spare inch of s.p.a.ce remained.

Mr. Hatfield, who had been watching the loading with troubled gaze, stepped to the edge of the dock to speak to Jabowski.

”Why not make another trip?” he suggested. ”The raft is overloaded.”

”Mr. Manheim's orders were to take 'em all in one load,” Jabowski said stubbornly. ”I do as he tells me.”

He started the motor and the raft slowly pulled away.

”Hey, wait!” Ross Langdon shouted. ”I forgot my cap!”

Before anyone could stop him, he leaped to his feet. The over-weighted raft tilted sharply to the left.

”Sit down!” Jabowski yelled.

The warning came much too late. Other Cubs, their feet under water, were scrambling frantically for safety.

As the raft became even more off-balance, it tilted to a sharper angle, sliding all the Cubs except one into the river. Jabowski, clinging to the motor box, managed to hold on.

The water into which the Cubs had fallen was well over their heads.

Weighted down by shoes and clothing, they churned the surface in a frantic effort to keep up.

Ross, an expert swimmer, seized one of the Cubs and towed him ash.o.r.e.

Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father both plunged in to a.s.sist others to safety.

Two of the Cubs grasped the side of the raft and were pulled aboard by the frightened Jabowski.

Meanwhile, on sh.o.r.e, Dan had kicked off his shoes, ready to help.

”Where's Tim Tyler?” he shouted.

Tim was the youngest and smallest member of Den 1. Also, as all the boys knew, he was the only Cub who had never learned to swim a stroke.

In the darkness there now was no glimpse of the boy. He was neither on the raft nor anywhere visible in the water.