Before long Fernald began to show signs of weariness. Once more Cole was heard speaking to him, and this time it was plain the boy urged him to keep at it and do his best.
“Wait some,” invited Buckhart. “We want to chat with you a little.”
“You go to thunder!” cried Cole, once more glancing back.
Still the pursuers continued. Fernald seemed inclined to give up, but Cole would not quit.
Foot by foot the canoe in the rear drew nearer to the one in advance. The distance that separated them was cut down swiftly, and Brad muttered:
“We’ll be on top of them in less than two minutes.”
Not more than ten feet lay between the canoes when Buckhart, giving an unusually heavy surge at the paddle, met with an accident.
The handle of the paddle snapped short off.
The Texan uttered an exclamation of dismay.
Glancing back, Cole saw what had happened, and again urged Fernald to exert himself.