Part 25 (1/2)

Leo shook his head soberly

”Two days?”

Leo shook his head

”Three days?”

”Maybe-so,” said he, at last ”Plenty bad water below here,” said he

”Well, I haven't seen any of these awful canons yet that you've been telling about,” said John

Leo smiled ”To-morrow see 'um plenty,” said he ”Pretty soon come Death Eddy, then Death Canon, then Death Rapids, then Priest Rapids

All theh”

”We'll not get out of here any too soon, that's sure,” said Uncle dick ”The best time to run any of these mountain rivers is in the fall, for then the water is lowest But a day or two more will tell the tale for us So, Moise, please don't starve us any more than you have to--I could eat a whole porcupine now ht at the fireside Uncle dick saw the boys bending over close together, and looked at the

”What's up, youngour wills,” said Rob ”We haven't got ive to anybody, of course, but you know, in case of any accident, we thought the folks ought to know about it Not that we're afraid I was just thinking that so ain”

Uncle dick did not smile at Rob's frank confession, but liked the boys all the ht, too I' to admit that when I ran the Rock Canon above the Boat Encato the boat with a rope, too But please don't be toowe've said, for if the canons should prove too bad ill line doith the boat; and if we can't line down, then ill all take to the woods”

None the less, the boys were all very quiet that night and slept but little

”I don't like that water at all,” whispered Jesse to John ”You can hear it growling and groaning all night long, as though it were gnashi+ng its teeth--I don't like it at all”

And, indeed, even on top of their high bank they could hear the strange noises that coh water is on The stream where they were encamped was several hundred yards in width, but now the run-off waters of thethe river each day er even for experienced men

XXVII

ON THE RAPIDS

It was cool that night, al was chill when they rolled out of their blankets A heavy mist rose from over the river, and while this obtained Leo refused to atteo on So they lost a little tih to make it safe to venture on the river

They were off at about nine o'clock perhaps, plunging at once into three or four ether, and at tio ahead and spy out the water around the bend In s with heavy boats, as the boys observed, thearound and then paddle up-strea was made with the bow up-stream The force of the river would very likely have capsized the boat if a landing were atte,”

said Jesse

Leo himself was now very alert He did not say a word to anybody, but kept his eyes on ahead as though he felt himself to be the responsible man of the party Certainly he took every precaution and proved himself a wonderful riverman But he seemed puzzled at last as, when they landed upon a beach, he turned toward Uncle dick

”Me no understand!” said he ”Death Eddy up there, but no see 'um!”

”What do you mean, Leo?”