e added.

"I'm a witness that it was an accident," shouted the elder Judson.

"You'll have a swell time proving I ran you down on purpose," added his
son.

Seeing that it was useless to prolong such a fruitless argument at long
distance, Jack refrained from making a reply. Besides, the _Curlew_
required his entire attention now. He took the tiller himself and kept
the injured craft inclined at such an angle that but little water
entered the hole the _Speedaway's_ sharp bow had punched in her.

The shore, on which were a few small houses and a wharf hidden among
trees and rocks, appeared to be a long distance off. But the _Curlew_
staggered gamely onward with Jack anticipating every puff of wind
skillfully.

"I believe that we'll make it, after all," said Billy hopefully, as the
water-logged craft was urged forward.

"I wish that Donald, with his sissy-boy clothes, was ashore when we
land," grumbled Noddy. "I'd give him what-for. I have not forgotten how
to handle my dukes, and as for his old octo-octo----"

"Octogenarian," chuckled Raynor.

"Octogenarian of a father,--I knew I'd get a chance to use that
word----" said Noddy triumphantly; "he's worse than his son. They're a
fine pair,--I don't think."

"Well, abusing them will do no good," said Jack. "We'll have to see what
other steps can be taken. I'm afraid, though, that they were right;
we'll have a hard time proving that it was not an accident, especially
as Noddy had dropped our tiller."

"Well, I just couldn't----" began Noddy, rather shamefacedly, when there
came a mighty bump and the _Curlew_ came to a standstill.

"Now what?" cried Raynor.

"We've run on a shoal, fellows," declared Jack. "This cruise is over for
a time."

"Well, anyhow, we can't sink now," said Noddy philosophically, "but
although the _Curlew's_ stuck on the shoal I'm not stuck on the
situation."

"Better quit that stuff," ordered Jack, "and help Billy lower the
mainsail and jib. They are no good to us now. In fact a puff of wind
might send us bowling over."

His advice was soon carried out and the _Curlew_ lay under a bare pole
on the muddy shoal. The boys began to express their disgust at their
predicament. They had no tender, and would have to stay there till help
came because of their lack of a small boat.

"Better set up some sort of a signal to attract the attention of those
folks on shore," suggested Billy.

"That's a good idea," agreed Jack, "but hullo! Look yonde