"If our gasoline is gone," said Grant, "we're likely to be out here on the lake for some time." "Yes, and if a storm comes up," added Fred, "we're going to have troubles of our own." "Don't begin to borrow troubles," said Mr. Button in a tone of irritation. "They may come, but it will be time enough to face them when we have to." "But what are we going to do?" demanded Fred. "I'm going to have one of you boys get into the skiff with me and I'm going to try to find out if anything is the matter with the blades." "I'll find out," said George, "what the supply of gasoline is." Taking his place on board the skiff, which was in tow, John seized the oars while Mr. Button seated himself in the bow. In a brief time the motor-boat was motionless and then pushing the bow of the skiff against the stern of the _Gadabout_, Mr. Button, who had taken off his coat, rolled back his sleeves and began to investigate the condition of the blades. "There," he said abruptly, "it is what I feared. There's something wrong there." "What can we do?" inquired John. "I don't think we can do anything until it is light." "Then we'll just drift about over the lake." "That's it exactly." "But suppose a storm comes up?" "But suppose it doesn't? There isn't anything we can do to bring it on or to keep it away. We'll have to take things as they come." "It will be a hard job for the Go Ahead Boys to hang out here all night. We aren't used to that." "It will be a good time to learn it," replied Mr. Button dryly, as pulling himself alongside the motor-boat he directed his companion to step on board, an example which he himself followed a moment later. "The gasoline is out," said George. "Are you sure?" inquired Mr. Button quickly. "Yes, sir. I am sure." "Then we're in a worse plight than I thought we were," said Mr. Button, "for there's something wrong with the blades." "I guess it won't make any difference whether the blades are right or wrong, if there's no gasoline to drive the engine," said Fred disconsolately. "We cannot do anything but wait," said Mr. Button. "The morning will be here before long." "And so won't breakfast," said Grant dolefully. "We'll have no trouble," explained Mr. Button, "just as soon as it is light. Somebody will be out here fishing and we'll get help." "But we don't want to wait until morning," protested Fred. "If you really don't want to wait," said Mr. Button, "then the only thing you can do is for two of you to take the skiff and row ashore." "We might get lost," suggested Fred. "Yes, so you might," acknowledged Mr. Button. "I was following a suggestion, that's all. It's the only thing which can be done that occurs to me." "I don't think the suggestion is so bad," said Fred. "We can keep within hailing distance of the _Gadabout_ and it may be that we shall find some other boat nearby, or it may be that we are not very far from the shore."