"I'm afraid it must be on the wrong side—this side; there's a bit of beach close to us. I was making for it when I got stuck."
"Let's chance rowing back."
"We shan't do it. Father won't sleep if I'm out all night."
"Will you steer, then, as you know where you are? Confound the boat; I believe it has stuck."
He backed with all his might and just saved it. Sidney steered still downstream.
"We shall get to the end of this bank and then slip across. Now, then, row for your life. Give me an oar."
It was a breathless moment, but they did it, and drove the boat fast and firm on a stony beach.
In another moment both were out on dry ground.
"There!" said Sidney. "Now we'll say good-bye to our boats and make the best of our way home. It's a good six miles round by the bridge, but there are no obstacles to prevent speed."
They scrambled up a steep bank, after making the boat fast to a post close by, and found themselves on a good high road.