Sammie
and I shouted encouragement from the second boat
as the men got the sunk airboat out of the water. (There
is some advantage to being a weak little female!
)
The men pushed
and pulled the boat out of the middle of the trail
and onto some higher ground where they were able
to bail it out and check it over.
Since the
driver had been so quick to shut down, the engine
did not take on any water and the prop was not
damaged at all. With a little testing and tinkering
the guys were able to start the boat up and go
find an island where we could build another fire
so they could dry out.
Tom
reminded me that I had said "You
aren't an official Airboater until you've hit the
water" and demanded a certificate. He
claimed he was "official" and he had
witnesses! We all agreed that he had been a real
good sport about the whole thing, and was deserving
of the honor. It is rare that so many of our scary
stories come true all in one ride!
I
made him a certificate with a painting commemorating
the event:
