OK, so we're just
about back to the launching ramp and Robert
takes over to bring her home. I had barely put my backside on
the seat when the motor sputtered and died. Wasn't me... I didn't
do anything... honest !!!
After
a few futile attempts to restart her, Robert declared that
we must be out of fuel. How was that possible ? The fellas had
left a short while before us to fuel her up. They'd gone on ahead
and got her into the water, and had already done a couple of laps
before Barby and I arrived.
So it must be their fault for wasting fuel before we started out.
No, they didn't think so. It was our fault for taking too long to
get there and making them do it ! Anyway, no use pointing fingers !!
So...
what now ? Do we have any oars ? Hmmm... there's one slightly
worn oar and a pair of skis onboard. How far can we paddle against
the current with those ? We tried !!
We're drifting back downriver awfully fast.I wondered out loud
where this river would take us if it had its way. New Orleans... ??!!!!!
Now's time to be thankful for technology, and the trusty mobile phone.
After several calls to boating friends who were unavailable, finally
one was willing and able to bring some fuel out to us.
Nothing to do now
but sit and wait to be rescued while the ramp
fades further and further into the distance. Good thing we had
plenty of drinks and nibblies on board. (And bug spray !)
It wasn't too long of a wait though... fifteen or twenty minutes
later the sound of a motor broke through the late afternoon
stillness, and our good samaritan appeared with a can of the
precious liquid !
I
wonder how many alligators live in that river........
Back
home, the fellas needed to relax while Barby prepared dinner.
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