"Hand me your handkerchief and I'll show you," answered John. Speedily tying his own handkerchief to Fred's he then fastened both to the top of the mast. "Somebody may see our signal of distress," he explained. "Pull, Fred! Pull for all you're worth!" he hastily added. "We've got to get nearer the boats if we ever make shore." While Fred rowed, John was doing his utmost to bail the boat. He was using his hands and his cap, but even with his utmost endeavors the depth of the water in the slowly moving skiff did not decrease. Both boys were toiling desperately now. Their faces were red and streaked with perspiration. There was no evading the fact, however, that in spite of all their efforts their progress still was slow and the peril of sinking was steadily increasing. At the mast-head floated the signal of distress. Neither of the boys was speaking now and the silence that rested on the great stretch of waters was unbroken. CHAPTER XVI THE SINKING SKIFF "We shan't be able to stay on board much longer," said Fred in a low voice. John made no reply, but his colorless face was clearly seen by his companion, who was fully aware of the anxiety in the heart of his friend. Steadily the little boat was sinking into the waters of Lake Huron. The boys now were wet to their waists and it was manifest that they would not much longer be able to remain in the little skiff. "Maybe she won't sink," called Fred. "Perhaps we can keep afloat if we hang to her after she settles down." Still John made no response. Not very long before he had been the one to try to cheer his companion. He it was who had declared that they had never learned to go backward and that they must be Go Ahead Boys to the end. "There's no use, Jack," called Fred. "We can't stay here any longer. Get your shoes off, if you can." With difficulty each boy removed his shoes and unmindful of his sweater and their other belongings prepared to leap into the lake. "You take the bow, Jack, and I'll hang to the stern," called Fred. "If we each put only one hand on the boat, she may stay afloat long enough to keep us from sinking. Don't lose your head. Just remember that we aren't through this fight yet." Both boys were expert swimmers, although their skill now was of slight avail. It was impossible for them to see the shore of the island from which they had departed and only the low-lying trails of dark smoke indicated what might be on the water far to the west. Together the boys leaped into the water. The boat partly righted itself when it was relieved of its burden, but it was so full of water that only a few inches below the gunwale appeared above the surface. "Come on, Jack," called Fred as the boys arose to the surface, "let's turn this tub over so that it will be bottom upward. Maybe it will stay afloat then."