In a few seconds Dick and Tom were at the rail of the Thistle. All of the girls who had been out for a picnic were in a bunch, and many of them were still screaming for help. But Dora and the Laning girls were now quiet, realizing that aid was close at hand. Another gasolene launch was coming up, dragging behind it nearly every rowboat Brill possessed.
It did not take Dick long to assist Dora over the rail and into the launch, and Nellie and Grace and several other girls followed. In the meantime Sam rescued a teacher and two girls. By this time the other launch was at hand, with the additional rowboats, and in a very few minutes all of the passengers of the Thistle had been transferred. In the excitement one of the college boys and one of the seminary girls fell overboard, but the other Brill lads promptly came to the rescue.
"Let us land the girls on the shore and then try to save the steamer," suggested Dick.
"That's the talk!" cried Stanley.
"Be careful—if she is ready to blow up!" warned Spud. "I don't want to be blown into the middle of next year!"
"She won't blow up!" cried the captain, who was still trying to direct his men as to what to do. "Don't you hear the steam going off?"
