y it to the burn and float it down to the cave!"

This was a stroke of genius, no less, and every member of the
Clan looked upon Jean with respect bordering upon awe. At the
point where the lake emptied into the burn there were loose
rocks, about which the water rushed in a swift cataract, but,
below, the current flowed more gently toward the fall. It was
deep only in spots where the trout loved to hide, but it was not
a stream anywhere in its course upon which one would launch a
boat for pleasure. The rocks were so near the surface that the
weight of even one person might ground it, but afloat and empty
it might be carried clear to the rocks above the cave. The Clan
considered the plan carefully, standing upon the rocky banks.

"How would we guide it?" asked Sandy doubtfully.

"There's a rope on the end of the boat," said Jean promptly, "and
we could push it off with sticks if it got stuck."

"Come on," cried Alan, and the four plotters rushed bask to the
lake and pulled the boat out of the water. Alan took the prow and
Jock took the stern, while Sandy and Jean supported it on each
side, and in this way, after many struggles, they succeeded in
carrying it to a place below the rapids where they dared launch
it.

"I'll hold the rope," said Alan, "and you, Sandy, take an oar and
go down the other side of the stream, so you can push it off if
it gets stuck on that side."

"How'll I get across?" asked Sandy.

This was a poser at first, but Alan found a way.

"Get into the boat," he said, "and we'll push it across where
there aren't any stones sticking up. You can pole it across with
your oar, and I'll keep hold of the rope."

Sandy jumped in at once, and the boat, in spite of some swirling,
was finally near enough to the opposite bank so he could jump
out. This he did, taking the oar with him. It was an exciting
journey down stream, for the boat bumped against rocks and caught
on fallen trees, and it was a good hour before the children,
tired out but triumphant, finally dragged it out of the water
just above the falls.

"If we had our rope, we could drag it to the edge of the cliff
and let it down in front of the cave," cried Jean in another
flash of inspiration, and Sandy instantly rushed down the rock,
made the necessary detour, and climbed the secret stair to the
cave. He then whistled, and three heads appeared over the top of
the cliff.

"I'll throw up the rope and when you let the boat down, I'll
stead