By the time Dick freed Cole from the rope, which he finally succeeded in doing, both he and Brad had impressed it upon the fellow that it would be fatal to catch hold of the side of the canoe. They induced him to wait until the stern of the canvas craft was swung round to him, and then, directed by Dick, he got hold of it.
“Paddle toward the shore, Buckhart!” cried Merriwell. “You will have to tow him into shallow water.”
“Why can’t I git into the canoe?” asked Cole. “I’m afraid I’ll let go and sink.”
“If you attempted to get into that canoe you’d upset it, and then you would have a chance to sink or swim,” answered Dick. “If you keep the hold you have we’ll get you close to shore so that you can wade out.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I am going to stay with you,” assured Dick. “Don’t be afraid of that. I’ll not try to get into that canoe.”
“Could you do it without upsetting it?”
“Yes.”
“Then why can’t I?”
“You don’t know the trick.”