Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/169

 of harm's way, drop your paddle into the water on the side opposite the rock, and use it the best you know how."

"Why, that will throw me square upon the rock," cried Tom.

"No, it won't," insisted Arthur. "It will throw you away from danger, and the current rushing around the rock will carry you still further away. But if you use the paddle on the other side, you will come up against the rock ker-chunk; and then you will have to swim the rest of the way down, because the stern of your canoe will, most likely, be smashed in. Understand?"

Tom replied that he did; whereupon Arthur settled his cap more firmly on his head, took his paddle in both hands and with one bold stroke sent his frail craft into the rapids. The moment the current caught him in its grasp, he began to shoot ahead like a boy coasting down hill. Tom shut his teeth hard and gripped his paddle until the muscles on his bare arms stood out like a gold-beater's; and so intent was he upon watching every move his guide made, that he forget to look out for himself, until he was