we left, so that we can
perhaps go up some side stream, drag the boat across a portage, and
launch her for our back journey over the same ground or water as we came
up."

"But we shall never get back to the lake," said Rob, as he glanced at
the running stream which glided rapidly by, making the boat drag at its
tethering rope as if at any moment it would snatch itself free.

"Never's a long time, Mr Rob. We'll see."

He turned to his men, gave them a few instructions in a low tone of
voice, and three seated themselves on the port side, while Shaddy and
the fourth, a herculean fellow with muscles which bulged out like huge
ropes from his bronzed arms, stood in the bows, the latter with the
boat-hook and Shaddy with the rope.

"Praps you young gentlemen wouldn't mind putting a hand to the branches
when you get a chance," said Shaddy; "every pound of help gives us a
pound of strength."

Then, renewing his orders, he seized the light rope, hauled upon it, the
man beside him making good use of his hook, and between them they
dragged the boat a few feet and made fast the rope, hauled again, cast
off the rope, and made fast again--all helping wherever a bough could be
caught.

And so they slowly fought their way back against the gigantic strength
of the rapid stream, but not without risks. Rob was hauling away at a
bough with all his might, when it suddenly snapped, and he would have
gone overboard had not Joe thrown himself upon him and held on just as
he was toppling down without power to recover his balance.

"That was near," said Rob as he gazed on the young Italian's ghastly
face. "I say, don't look scared like that."

Joe shuddered and resumed his work, while Rob put a little less energy
into his next movements for a few minutes, but forgot his escape
directly after, and worked away with the rest.

It was toil which required constant effort, and they won their way
upward very slowly. Twice over they lost ground by the giving way of
the branch to which the rope had been attached, and once the boat-hook
slipped from the Indian's hand and floated down-stream past the boat,
the heavy iron end causing it to keep nearly upright. For a few moments
it disappeared, but came gently to the surface again just as it was
passing the stern, when the boys gave a ringing cheer, for, leaning out
as far as he could, Brazier secured it and passed it back to the man.

Of minor troubles there were plenty. At one moment they