All night long the heavy seas banged up against the shore, driven by a strong northwest wind that reached the proportions of a gale at times. The boys were more than thankful that they were not exposed to the fury of the storm, but had a snug harbor where they could ride it out in safety. CHAPTER XX. THE CASTAWAYS OF THE SWAMP. "Looks like we made a big mistake in trying to navigate that short cut the planter told us about, Jimmie!" "How long we been in this scrape, I'd loike to know, Jack?" "Well, this is the third day now we've been pushing and poling around, sometimes thinking we must be getting back to the river again, and then finding ourselves deeper and deeper in the slough. The worst of it is our grub heap looks mighty low, Jimmie," and Jack glanced seriously at his companion. They had been tempted to take the advice of a friendly planter on the day after the big storm. In fact, to tell the truth, it was Jimmie's urging that had influenced the skipper of the _Tramp_ to enter the opening that yawned before them, and allow the current to swing them along at a swift pace. But by degrees, after twisting and turning until they lost all trace of their bearings, that treacherous current had died away until they found themselves in a lagoon that seemed as still as death. They had tried to navigate by means of their propeller. Then, fearful that the supply of gasolene might become exhausted they had resorted to the pole. Two days had passed and so far as they could see they were worse off than ever. Now and then they came to dry ground on which they set foot with renewed hopes that were soon dashed again. Jack managed to pot a few gray squirrels, and they cooked them by a fire made in a hickory ridge. If it came to the worst Jack said they could catch fish, or shoot some of the numerous raccoons that eyed them inquisitively. "Then there are plenty of muskrats in sight," he had added; at which Jimmie held up his hands in horror, until Jack explained that if properly cooked the "musquash" of the Indian was considered very good food and eaten by many French Canadian trappers in the Northwest and Canada. "Of course," Jack went on, when Jimmie became curious as to how they had lost the right channel, "it's of much more importance how we're ever going to get out of this network of watercourses than how we came here. But, honestly, I'm afraid we made a mistake in the beginning." "Took the wrong cut-off, do ye mane?" asked the other. "That's just what struck me, Jimmie. And now, here's the third night ahead of us and we no nearer escape than in the beginning." "Sure I do be thinkin' they ought to be happy," remarked the Irish lad, after they had gone on pushing for another half hour. "Who do you mean?" asked Jack. "Herbie and Josh. Don't ye say, Jack, all this time we're flounderin' around in this place the _Comfort_ is gaining eight hours ivery day."