ng among the paddles until all of them had
been recovered.

"Now, Mr. Driggs, won't you stop a moment?" asked young Prescott.
"It will be a bit humiliating to be towed into dock. Wait, and
let us get into the canoe. We'd rather take it ashore under
our own power."

Laura hoped Hiram Driggs would veto the idea, but he didn't.

The canoe was brought alongside, and five boys stepped carefully
into it, seating themselves.

"Room for one young lady in here, if we can find a fair way of
drawing lots between them," suggested Dick playfully.

"They won't step into the canoe, just now, if I can prevent them,"
Driggs declared flatly. "You boys want just a few minutes' more
practice at your new game before you risk the lives of these girls."

"You're right, I'm afraid, Mr. Driggs," Dick Prescott admitted
with a smile. "But, before long, we hope to take out as many
of the high school girls as care to step into this fine old war
canoe."

"I hope you won't forget that," Belle Meade flashed at him smilingly.

"We won't," Dave promised her. "And you and Laura shall have
the first invitation."

"I shall be ready," Laura replied, "just as soon as you boys feel
that you can take proper care of us in the canoe."

"You'll have to do your own share of taking care," Tom Reade responded.
"About all a passenger has to learn in a canoe is to take a seat
right in the middle of the canoe, and to keep to that place without
moving about."

Dick & Co., minus Danny Grin, now paddled off, reaching the float
some moments before the scow got in.

"Young ladies," said Dick, as he stepped to the float, "I don't
know how many of you will care about going out in our canoe, but
we wish to invite all who would like it to try a trip within the
next few days. Four boys and two girls can go out at a time,
and in case of mishap that would leave two good swimmers to look
after each girl. We shall be glad if you will permit us to invite
you in couples."

Despite the accident of the morning the invitation was greeted
with enthusiasm.

CHAPTER IX

DICK TREMBLES AT HIS NERVE

Hiram Driggs refused to accept any money for his trouble in raising
the canoe.

"I won't charge you anything, unless upsetting your craft becomes
a troublesome habit," the boat builder declared. "Remember, I'm
a big winner on our birch bark trade."

Within the next four days all of the girls invited had been able
to take a trip up the river and back.

B