it place for landing."

Alick agreed to my proposal, and Martin and I stooping down managed to
secure the piece of cloth, as I suggested might be done. Robin also
shoved his handkerchief into the worst leak.

The plan answered apparently better than we had expected; and Martin and
I stepping on board again, we paddled the canoe as fast as we could in
the direction of the opposite bank. We had got scarcely half across the
stream, however, when the water began to rush in again more violently
than at first. There seemed every probability of the canoe filling. We
paddled away with all our force; still the water came in.

"The only chance I see of reaching the shore is to swim for it," cried
Alick, throwing off his heavier clothing.

I did the same, and Martin imitated us.

"Sit quiet, Robin," said Alick. "Take the paddle and steer the canoe."

Poor Bouncer would have jumped overboard also, but one of his front legs
pained him, and he stood quiet with the water rushing about his feet.
Alick took the painter in his mouth and towed ahead, while Martin and I
swam astern, pushing the canoe before us. Robin paddled, now on one
side, now on the other. We thus proceeded towards the bank, being
carried down, however, farther than we intended by the current. We were
all three pretty well exhausted by the time we reached the shore, where,
as soon as Robin had bailed her out, we hauled up the canoe, he and
Bouncer jumping out of her.

"We shall have to camp here," said Alick, "for it will be nearly dark
before we can repair the canoe, and cook one of the swans, and get our
clothes dried."

"I suggest that we get our clothes dried first," said Martin. "We are
hardy fellows, but we may catch cold notwithstanding if we remain in our
wet garments."

Agreeing with him, we all set to work to collect wood for a large fire,
before which, as soon as it burned up brightly, he and I spread out our
clothes, while we sat down wrapped in Alick's and Robin's thick coats,
which had been kept dry. They meanwhile searched for some gum and
birch-bark wherewith to repair our damaged canoe. Martin and I employed
ourselves in plucking one of the swans and preparing it for cooking. I
proposed cutting it into several portions, that it might cook the
sooner; but he advocated cooking it whole, declaring that it would not
take much longer to dress than if cut up, and be far better. We were
still discussing that knotty point, when Alick cam