Out with Gun and Camera Part 15

The collie was given his share of the dinner and appeared to enjoy it as much as the boys. He acted as if he felt perfectly at home with the young hunters, and made no offer to leave them.

"If he wasn't such a fine dog I'd put him down as an outcast," said Shep. "But n.o.body would abandon such a fine animal---he's worth too much money."

Once again the boy hunters proceeded on their way. As they entered the watercourse connecting the two lakes they noticed that the current was flowing swiftly.

"The heavy rains are responsible for this," said Snap. "We want to be careful, or the boat will be smashed on some of the rocks."

"We might get out and walk---that is, some of us---if the sh.o.r.e wasn't so rough and rocky," said Whopper. "It looks wilder than ever now, doesn't it, boys?"

It certainly did look wilder---or was it only the rushing of the water that made it appear so? They rowed on with caution, two at the oars and two doing the steering with poles. Wags sat in the bow as before, watching proceedings in silence.

About half the distance to Firefly Lake had been covered when they came to a sharp turn in the watercourse. Here the water boiled and foamed around several sharp rocks.

"Beware of the rocks!" sang out the doctor's Son.

"To the right! To the right!" yelled Whopper. "It's too shallow on the other side!"

They tried to turn the craft to the right, but the current seemed too strong for them. The boat swung around and hit one of the rocks a sharp blow. There was a little splash as the collie went overboard. Then came a big souse, that covered those who remained in the boat with spray.

"Giant is overboard!" cried Whopper. "And so is the dog!"

"Let the dog take care of himself," cried Snap. "Grab Giant!"

Whopper turned to catch the lad who had gone overboard, but the current was too quick for him, and the small youth was sent whirling out of his reach.

For the moment it looked as if the rowboat would either go over or be stove in on the rocks, and those left on board had to turn their attention to the craft. They saw Giant floundering in the boiling water, but could do nothing to aid him.

"Swing her around and pull for sh.o.r.e; it's our only chance!" cried Snap. "Quick, now---or we'll all go to the bottom!"

Fighting desperately, the three lads swung the craft around slowly.

It sc.r.a.ped on more of the rocks, and one of the oars was caught and snapped off like a pipe-stem. But then the boat struck water that was a little more calm, and soon they reached a cove and felt themselves safe for the time being.

"Where is Giant?" was Shep's question as soon as they knew the outfit was secure.

"There he is, on one of the rocks," answered Whopper. "And here comes the dog," he added as the collie came battling bravely toward them.

Soon Wags was on sh.o.r.e and shaking himself vigorously, acting as if such a bath was a daily occurrence.

"h.e.l.lo, you fellows!" came in Giant's voice. He was sprawled out on a rock in midstream, sixty feet away.

"Are you hurt?" questioned Shep anxiously.

"No; the water was pretty soft," answered the small youth. "But I say, how am I going to get ash.o.r.e?"

"Can't you wade it?" asked Whopper.

"No; don't try that---the current is too swift," cried Snap.

"Well, we can't take the boat to him," said Whopper.

"I know that."

"We might throw him a line," suggested the doctor's son.

"Yes, that's an idea."

A light but strong line was brought forth and Shep curled it up as a cowboy does a la.s.so. Then he made a cast, but the line fell short.

"Let me try it," said Snap.

One after another the boys on sh.o.r.e tried to reach Giant with the line but failed. After Whopper had made his cast Wags, who had been sitting on a rock watching proceedings with interest, gave a bark and caught the end of the line in his teeth.

"There's an idea!" cried Snap. "Let the dog carry the line."

"Will he do it?" questioned Whopper.

"We can try him and see."

The end of the line was made fast to the collie's collar, and Giant was told to call him.

"Come, Wags! That's a good dog! Come!" called the small youth, and whistled and snapped his fingers.

At first Wags appeared to be doubtful, but finally he ventured into the water. Then he began to swim steadily toward the rock, dragging the line behind him.

"What a shame if the current carries him away!" murmured Whopper.

"We'll not allow that," answered the doctor's son. "If he loses ground we can haul him in."

Slowly but surely the dog drew closer to the rock. At last he got within Giant's reach, and the youth caught him and pulled him up.

"Tie the rope about your waist and we'll haul you to sh.o.r.e!" sang out Shep. "Bring the dog on your shoulder if you can."

"I'll try it," answered Giant.

It was no easy matter for him, on the wet and slippery rock, to adjust the rope and get the collie on his shoulder. But presently he announced that he was ready, and the boys on sh.o.r.e commenced to haul in. Down in the madly rushing water went Giant, and it was all he could do to keep his feet. But luck was with him, and in a very few minutes he and the dog were safe.

"That was quite an adventure," he said when he had recovered his breath.

"You went overboard in a great hurry," remarked Whopper. "And so did Wags."

"The shock to the boat did it. It made me lose my balance before I was aware."

"Let us be thankful Giant is safe, and Wags," said the doctor's son.

"And thankful, too, that the boat didn't go over. If it had our outing would have been spoiled."

"We've got to be mighty careful how we travel through the rest of this river," remarked Snap. "The heavy rains have made a fierce torrent of it."

It must be confessed that the boys did not know exactly what to do.

Should they venture on the river again, or carry the outfit to the beginning of Firefly Lake?