"Can't they see
we're not under control? We can't start! We can't start!" she cried at
the top of her voice, hoping the other steersman would hear.
"The steamer can't get out of the channel-- that's the reason!" gasped
Betty. "I see now. It's too shallow for big boats except in certain
places here. We must get out of her way-- she can't get out of ours!
Girls, we must start the motor!"
"Then try it with the crank, and let the automatic go," suggested Aunt
Kate, practically. "Probably it's out of order. You must do something,
girls!"
"Use the crank!" cried Betty, who was hobbling the wheel over as hard
as she could, hoping the tug of the current would carry the Gem out of
danger. But the craft hardly had steerage way on.
Mollie seized the crank, which, by means of a long shaft and sprocket
chain, extending from the after cabin bulkhead to the flywheel,
revolved that. She gave it a vigorous turn. There was no welcome
response of throbbing explosions in the cylinders.
"Try again!" gasped Betty, "Oh, all of you try. I simply can't leave
the wheel."
The steamer was now sending out a concert of sharp, staccato blasts.
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