d John, pointing as he spoke to a
nearby canoe in which two young girls were seated. One of them was
paddling, while her companion was seated in the opposite end of the
frail little craft.

At the moment of John's discovery apparently Miss Susie also became
aware of the approach of the Black Growler. As she lifted her paddle to
salute the Go Ahead boys, her companion, who doubtless was unfamiliar
with canoes, reached forward to pick up a sweater to wave at the
motor-boat; she suddenly destroyed the balance of the little canoe.
Instantly it was overturned and both girls were thrown into the St.
Lawrence.

CHAPTER XVI

THE RESCUE

A cry of horror and alarm arose from the startled boys when they beheld
the accident. In a moment one of the girls was seen swimming near the
overturned canoe. The other, however, was not within sight.

"It's time for us to do something!" shouted John, who was almost beside
himself in his excitement.

Fred at once had changed the course of the Black Growler but a
semi-circle was necessary to be turned before she could approach the
place where the girls had fallen into the river.

Grant, meanwhile promptly had removed his sweater and taken off his
sneakers preparing to go to the assistance of the unfortunate girls. As
he was the strongest and swiftest swimmer, his companions by common
consent had expected him to be the one to leap into the water.

A moment later it was seen that one of the girls had seized the canoe.
In her desperation, however, the frail little craft was over-turned and
she lost her hold and again disappeared from sight.

At that moment the motor-boat approached within twenty-five feet of the
place where the accident had occurred. Shouting to his friends to take
the canoe and do their utmost to rescue the unfortunate girl, Grant
dived from the deck of the Black Growler and a moment later with
powerful strokes was swiftly approaching the victims of the accident.

Meanwhile, following the instructions of Grant, John and George had
been able with a boat-hook to reach the overturned canoe and drawing it
speedily to them, both carefully and hastily took their places on board.

"Get one of the girls while I am getting the other," called Grant as he
turned his head for a moment toward his companions.

At that instant Grant saw the face of one of the girls appear on the
surface but a moment later it again disappeared from sight.

The current was moderately strong, an