all their luck
seemed to suddenly desert them.

"Never mind," said Randy. "We certainly have a prime haul, even as it
is," and he looked the fish over with much pride.

They wound up their lines and were soon on the way down the river. It
was rather a hot day, so they took their time in getting back.

"What are you going to do with your boat?" asked Randy.

"Sell it to Mr. Stanwood for ten dollars."

"You are lucky to get a customer, Jack."

"I know it. I'd turn the boat over to you only--well--we need the money
now, you know," and Jack's eyes dropped.

"Thank you, Jack, but I wouldn't have much time to use it. I must put
in the most of my time at work."

"I suppose that is true. At the same time I'd rather you had the boat
than anybody I know of."

The boys were coming around a bend of the river when they heard a
peculiar noise in the distance.

"What do you make that out to be?" asked Jack, as the noise continued.

"I think I know," answered our hero. "It is the new tugboat from the
bay. I saw it once, several weeks ago. It makes a very odd sound, for
the engine is not like the ordinary ones."

The noise kept coming closer and presently the tugboat came into view.
It was stuck in the mud and those on board were doing what they could
to get the craft afloat again.

"They seem to be having a hard time of it," remarked Jack, as he
stopped rowing to watch the proceedings.

"The mud is very sticky here, if you'll remember," answered Randy.
"Don't you remember how we were stuck here last year?"

"Yes, and how I lost an oar overboard and nearly went overboard
myself," continued Jack, with a short laugh. "Heigh-ho! Randy, I'll be
sorry in a way to lose it all."

"We must write to each other."

"Of course."

The tug was puffing and snorting viciously to get out of the mud. On
board were four people who were evidently passengers, including a lady
with a little girl.

Suddenly there came something which sounded like an explosion. This was
followed by a cloud of steam that seemed to completely envelop the
tugboat.

"Something is wrong!" shouted Randy.

"Oh, mamma, I don't like this!" screamed the little girl, as she ran to
the stern of the tug. "We'll be burned up!"

She had scarcely spoken when there came another explosion and the cloud
of steam increased. The four passengers crowded to the stern in a body,
and a moment later the two men leaped overboard and called on the lady
and her child to do l