"Oh, about twelve feet long, I guess. There, I got a good view of him
then!" he cried, as the manatee, probably in an effort to get rid of the
rope, rose partly from the water.

"Oh, what a horrid looking thing!" cried Ruth.

"I don't think so at all," Alice said. "I wish I could see it from in
front."

She had her wish a moment later, and it was rather more than she
bargained for since the sea cow, in an effort to get rid of the rope that
was twisted about its flipper, turned about with a swirl in the water,
not unlike that made by the propeller of a motor boat, and came head-on
for the craft it was unwittingly towing.

"Oh, it will upset us!" cried Ruth.

"Never mind! They don't bite, and we'll rescue you!" Russ reassured her.

"Oh, I--I'd die, sure, if I were to be thrown into the water with that
terrible creature!" gasped Ruth, clinging to Alice for protection.

And there did seem some likelihood of the manatee upsetting the boat, not
so much through a vindictive spirit, as by accident, and because of its
huge bulk.

On it surged toward the craft, and Paul, seizing an oar, prepared to
attack. Russ called to his rowers to be ready to rescue the girls and the
young actor if necessary, and then, with the desire for a good film ever