Part 18 (1/2)

So they quitted the camp under the cataract, where they had spent several very enjoyable days

[Illustration: IMMEDIATELY THE TWO ADVENTUROUS CRUISERS WERE IN THE RAPIDS--_Page 141_

_The Outdoor Chu Game_]

Swiftly they descended the streareement, they hauled in at the head of the rapids for a little rest and consultation before oing down the shore and taking up his position aboutbullboats as they ca water Afterward he and Mr Mabie would enter the last boat and e

When he was ready, with his canal I Bluff and Reddy When they got fully into the swirl the second craft appeared in sight

Jerry sat in the bow of this, and Frank in the stern, the more responsible position Immediately the two adventurous cruisers were in the rapids, and shooting doith incredible swiftness

The leading boat ht, for Reddy knew the route; but disaster awaited that containing the two chued rock, and were capsized, or made a miscalculation, and found themselves seized by the cross-current, no one ever knew

”Look out!” shouted Jerry, and the next instant both he and Frank were overboard, and trying to keep away fro down the rapids

CHAPTER XVI

THE NEW CAMP

”Well, how did you like it, Jerry?”

”Talk to ara in a barrel!

That was bad enough for h water to float a shi+p!

And here we are yet, each perched on a measly old slippery rock, in the middle of the rapids Say! tell et ashore?”

The situation was coical Just as Jerry said, each of the late in buffeted about furiously for severalon to an exposed rock

There inwater surrounding them on all sides In spite of his recent scare, Frank could not help laughing

”What ails you? Perhaps you think I look funny?” exclai quite as cheerful as usual

”Well, if you could only see yourself just now, you couldn't help laughing Do you know you just put ood luck, Billikin!” called Frank, and in spite of his soreness Jerry had to grin in syht, then; there are two of us, and I guess you look as silly as I do But there's that fellow, Will, getting his work in, as usual A nice pair of geese we'll look like in his book of martyrs”

”Oh, that doesn't botherabout is how under the sun we're going to get out of this pickle,” said Frank, sweeping his hand around, as if to call attention to the angry water that leaped and boiled in a frenzy of eagerness to get at its expected victims

”Can't swim to the shore, that's sure I suppose we'll just have to slip in again and oodness! the bottoht, and as Bluff and Reddy have picked up our boat and the paddle, they could turn their hands at life saving e ca”

”Hold on! Don't be rash, Jerry!” called Frank

”Well, have you got anything better to say about it--any bright scheme to propose that offers to soften the blow?” de off his unstable seat