front logs of the raft had been driven completely; into the motor boat, staving in her planking, through which the water was rushing. And, so violent had been the blow of the collision that the Clytie was actually impaled on the floating tree trunks, that were bound together with ropes.
"Take to the raft!" cried Mr. Ringold. "It's our only chance!"
"That's right!" shouted C C "Come on, boys! Load all we can on the raft!"
The water was now up over the cabin floor. It was evident that she was going down fast. Only the fact that the raft stuck part way through her held her up. Once filled with water, as she soon must be, she would pull herself loose by her own weight, and go to the bottom of the Mississippi.
"Food first, water—and something for a light!" cried Mr. Ringold, issuing his orders calmly. "Then, if you can, boys, save the cameras and films."
"Oh, we'll save them!" exclaimed Blake.
"I should say so!" murmured Joe.
A keg of water, some packages of food, and two lanterns were hastily lifted over the side of the motor boat, and placed on the raft. Then some blankets, bedding and other things were tossed over in a pile.
