sel. Tim had had some experience in the matter, and could
propel it quite dexterously; but the boys were much at fault: they
expended far more strength than there was any need for, and soon
exhausted themselves so thoroughly that they were obliged to relinquish
the sole management of the boat into the hands of Tim O'Rooney.

"There's a bootiful current here," said he, "and we can have the
illegant pleasure of moving along without working ourselves, as me
frind, Michael McGubbens, said when they carried him off to Botany Bay."

The Irishman first dipped his paddle upon the one side and then upon the
other, and imparted quite a velocity to the canoe. The boys were so
pleased with the easy, gliding motion that they failed to notice the
shores they were passing between. When finally Tim lay down his paddle
and rested they were charmed.

All were tired enough to make them enjoy this relaxation and the
sensation of floating so idly forward. The sky was clear and almost free
of clouds, the dry air was not uncomfortably warm, and an occasional
breeze that came floating apparently from the snowy peaks of the Coast
Range imparted delicious coolness. On the left stretched the high hills
intervening between them and the Pacific, and on the right rose the vast
Coast Mountains, forming in its extensive line some of the finest
scenery on the North American Continent.

By-and-by, as they rounded a bend in the river, a small island appeared
near the center of the channel.

"There we will rest," said Howard.

A half-hour later the canoe lightly touched the shore, and springing out
they pulled it up on the land after them. They had scarcely done so when
a groan very near them startled them all.

"Whisht!" whispered Tim; "there's somebody else beside us on this
island."

CHAPTER XX.

SHASTA, THE PAH UTAH.

All three paused and listened. For a moment all was still; and then the
suppressed groan of distress was heard, as though the sufferer were
seeking to keep back the outcry that was forced from him.

"There it is!" whispered Howard, pointing to a clump of bushes near the
edge of the river.

"It strikes me we had better leave!" replied Elwood, looking forward to
the canoe as if fearful that that would be taken from them and all
escape be thus cut off.

"Do you sind the dog forward and let him smell out the difficulty,"
suggested Tim O'Rooney.

Terror stood there between the boys, his head raised and his whole
app