It was only too true. The boys had paid no attention to their catch for some time, and the crabs had pushed their way up from beneath the seaweed, and were crawling over the edge.
"Clap something on top of the basket!" cried Sammy. "Hand me that board, Frank."
"Can't! I've got troubles of my own! Ouch, let go, can't you!" he cried to the crab, which did not seem to want to do this.
"Wow! One's got me, tool" exclaimed Bob, turning quickly about.
"Smash him against the side of the boat!" advised Sammy to Frank, and, seeing this was good advice, the boy did so.
Crack went the hard crab against the gunwale, and the claw by which it had been clinging to Frank's toe came off. Crabs claws often come loose and new ones grow on again. So the creature was not much hurt.
"Whew! That's better!" gasped Frank, as he opened the nippers of the claw that still clung to his toe, in spite of the fact that it was severed from the body of the crab.
"Let go, can't you!" cried Bob, to the crab nipping him.
"Try Frank's trick," advised Sammy.
Bob did so, but the result was not exactly what was looked for.
The boy hit the crab, that had hold of his hand, such a blow against the side of the boat, that, losing his balance. Bob leaned too far over.
"Look out! You'll upset us!" cried Frank, who was nursing his nipped toe.
It was too late. The boat tilted, and, aided by the tide and the frantic efforts of the boys to prevent it, over went the craft, spilling out the three chums, crabs, and all. Then such confusion as there was!
