"Down with your heads until the boat
strikes, and then try to lay hold of something."
There was no time for explanation. He seized an oar; a powerful stroke
swung the boat's nose round. By chance, he used the starboard oar.
All unknowing he spun a coin for life or death, and life won. They
crashed through some drooping foliage and ran into a crumbling bank.
Gray unshipped the oar and jammed it straight down. It stuck between
stones at a depth of three feet, and the life-boat was held fast for
the time. The canoes hurtled against each other, but were swept aside
instantly. When the noise ceased, they plainly heard the swirl of the
water. In their new environment, it had the uncanny and sinister hiss
of some monstrous snake.
"Everybody happy?" Gray demanded coolly.
"I am clinging to a tree trunk," answered Elsie.
"Bully for you. Make fast with a piece of rope. But be careful to
provide a slip-knot, in case we have to sheer off in a hurry. Can you
manage that?"
"Quite well."
Elsie was fully aware that the leadership of the expedition had gone
from her. She was not sorry; it was in strong hands.
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