Part 23 (2/2)

”Then you et into the water and lift her off You are already wet through, so it will not signify”

”Here goes then,” I said; and Martin and I stepped into the water, on to e found to be the sunken trunk of a tree, off which we quickly lifted the canoe, though we found an unexpected resistance Scarcely had we done so thanthe water running like a et out of her, or she'll fill to the gunwale in a few minutes,” exclaimed Alick

”We can't land here or haul her up if we do,” I observed, as I still stood on the sunken trunk ”If we secure the sail under the bottoet to the opposite bank, where there reed to ed to secure the piece of cloth, as I suggested ht be done Robin also shoved his handkerchief into the worst leak

The plan answered apparently better than we had expected; and Martin and I stepping on board again, we paddled the canoe as fast as we could in the direction of the opposite bank We had got scarcely half across the streaain more violently than at first There see We paddled aith all our force; still the water ca the shore is to swi

I did the same, and Martin imitated us

”Sit quiet, Robin,” said Alick ”Take the paddle and steer the canoe”

Poor Bouncer would have jus pained hi about his feet

Alick took the painter in his mouth and towed ahead, while Martin and I swa the canoe before us Robin paddled, now on one side, now on the other We thus proceeded towards the bank, being carried down, however, farther than we intended by the current We were all three pretty well exhausted by the time we reached the shore, where, as soon as Robin had bailed her out, we hauled up the canoe, he and Bouncer ju out of her

”We shall have to camp here,” said Alick, ”for it will be nearly dark before we can repair the canoe, and cook one of the swans, and get our clothes dried”

”I suggest that we get our clothes dried first,” said Martin ”We are hardy fellows, but we ar with hie fire, before which, as soon as it burned up brightly, he and I spread out our clothes, while we sat dorapped in Alick's and Robin's thick coats, which had been kept dry They ued canoe Martin and I e it for cooking I proposed cutting it into several portions, that itit whole, declaring that it would not take er to dress than if cut up, and be far better We were still discussing that knotty point, when Alick came up and settled it in favour of Martin's proposal

”One long spit, which we can tend better than several small ones, will then serve the purpose,” he observed

Being hung up close to the fire, our lower garain examined our canoe So extensive was the rent that we found it would be necessary to sew on a piece of birch-bark, and then to cover the seaum We fortunately found some fibre which would answer the purpose of thread The operation of sewing in the piece was a long one, as every hole had to be carefully h it and secured; the only tool we had to ith being a small pricker from Alick's pocket-knife

Robin had re of the swan, and as orked ae every now and then shouted to hi on

”Pretty well,” he answered, ”but it would be all the better for basting, as it seems to dry very fast, and has somewhat of a fishy odour”

”We must not be particular,” said Alick; ”and the sooner you can et it done the better, for I am sharp set, and so, I am sure, are Martin and David”

”The scent has taken off my appetite,” said Robin, as he continued to turn the spit

We at last got the piece of bark sewn on, and had then to heat the guood quantity, as it was not equal to e had before obtained We were rather afraid that it would fall out and allow the canoe to leak

By the time we had accomplished part of our task Robin announced that the sas cooked, and as we found it difficult to labour by the light of the fire, we put off finishi+ng the repairs of the canoe till the nextwe sat down round the fire to eat the swan It had the advantage of being hot, but possessed no other co flavour; still it coer, and Bouncer, at all events, ave hi stretched hiot up to eat his supper

He seeh he still limped when he attempted to walk, and his nose showed the scars which the swan's beak had e, it would have afforded hi his late antagonist; but such a thought did not enter his canine rateful

By the time supper was over all our clothes were dry, and we put theht The air felt wam in which to shelter ourselves