few minutes longer?" asked
Paul.

"Easy enough. Take your own time, sir. When you're ready tell me, and
I'll give a series of sharp jerks. I hope we can make her move some."

Presently the owner of the motor-boat declared he had moved everything
possible, and that the bow seemed to be a little more free than before,
as though almost ready to rise with each flowing wave that swept past
with a rush.

Darry set to work and began to use every atom of strength in his sturdy
muscles; at the same time he engineered matters in such a clever fashion
that every time he pulled his oars through the water it was with a rapid
movement in the nature of a shock, so that the little hawser tightening,
gave a drag at the imprisoned craft.

"She's moving!" yelled Paul Singleton, excitedly.

Darry kept right along, pulling with even more vim than before.

"Bully boy! she's coming! I can feel her move each time. If only an
inch, it is something. We're going to get her off! It's a cinch, I tell
you!"

Plainly Paul Singleton was considerably excited over the changed
prospect that confronted him, and his cries gave the lad heart to exert
himself to the utmost.

Suddenly he found that he was towing the launch behind him.

She had left her berth in between the two rocks and floated on the
waves.

The owner gave a last whoop of delight.

"I knew if anyone could accomplish it, you would. I think you must be my
good genius, Darry. To think of our meeting again here in the middle of
the bay and just when I was on my way to your home to see if I could
induce you to keep your half-given promise. It's great! Tell me about
destiny after this."

That was the way Paul was calling out, as he busied himself in righting
things aboard the jaunty little cedar craft.

[Illustration: SHE HAD LEFT HER BERTH IN BETWEEN THE TWO ROCKS AND
FLOATED ON THE WAVES.]

"Now, what's to hinder you coming aboard and towing the rowboat astern?
The engine is all right and capable of twelve miles an hour, so we can
go with this blow easily enough," he suggested.

Darry was quite willing, for his arms felt a bit weary after his
exerions, and the launch did look comfortable, even though fairly
drenched just then, as a result of the waves breaking over the stern
while she was held a prisoner in the jaws of rock.

The transfer was made without any particular trouble, and once Darry had
secured his boat to the brass cleat in the stern of the launch he set to
wor