Page:Boys of Columbia High on the River.djvu/205

 CHAPTER XXI

MAROONED ON THE ISLAND

" drag this boat up on shore. I want to examine it!" said Frank, who was just as pale as his companion, for a dreadful fear seemed to be tugging at his heart.

"Perhaps they found it leaking, and had to wade ashore when it went down right here," suggested Paul, as he scanned the wooden bank.

Frank shook his head, and sighed.

"It might be," he said, "but if they were close by don't you think they'd call out to us, and let us know?"

"But they were wet, and might have started for home by land. The road doesn't keep in sight of the river all the way, and we may have missed them."

They had already dragged the boat in closer to the shore now.

"Why, what's this—the anchor's down!" exclaimed Paul, suddenly. Rh