izontal paddle came up level with the surface, spun round at a
great rate, and sent a tremendous shower of spray all over those on the
gangway, Distin getting the worst share, and in his effort to escape it
nearly going off into the dam.

"You did that on purpose," he roared furiously, his voice rising above
the shout of laughter.

"Oh, I've had enough of this," said Macey. "Let me get out."

"No, no, sit still. It's all right," whispered Vane. Then, aloud, "I
didn't, Dis, it was an accident. All right, Aleck, keep the boat level.
Now we're straight for the river. Work away."

Macey tugged at his lever and pushed with his feet; his paddle now
revolved, and though the boat swayed dangerously, and Aunt Hannah was in
agony lest it should upset, the paddles kept below the surface, and
cheer after cheer arose.

For the two lads, in spite of the clumsiness and stiffness of the
mechanism, were sending the boat steadily right out of the dam and into
the river, where they ran it slowly for some four hundred yards before
they thought it time to turn, and all the while with a troop of lads and
men cheering with all their might.

"Sit steady; don't sway," said Vane, "she's rather top-heavy."

"I just will," responded Macey. "She'd be over in a moment. But, I
say, isn't it hard work?"

"The machinery's too stiff," said Vane.

"My arms are," said Macey, "and I don't seem to have any legs."

"Never mind."

"But I do."

"Stop now," said Vane, and the boat glided on a little way and then the
stream checked her entirely, right in the middle.

"That's the best yet," said Macey, with a sigh of relief.

But there was no rest for him.

"Now," cried Vane, "we're going back."

"Can't work 'em backwards."

"No, no, forward," said Vane. "I'll work backwards. Work away."

Macey obeyed, and a fresh burst of cheers arose as, in obedience to the
reverse paddling, the boat turned as if on a pivot. Then as soon as it
was straight for the mill, Vane reversed again, and accompanied by their
sympathisers on the bank and working as hard as they could, the two
engineers sent the boat slowly along, right back into the pool, and by
judicious management on Vane's part, alongside of the wooden staging
which acted as a bridge to the mill on its little island.

Here plenty more cheers saluted the navigators.

"Bravo! bravo!" cried the rector.

"Well done, Vane," cried the doctor.

"Viva," shouted Distin, with a sneering look