For the moment it looked as if the rowboat would either go over or be stove in on the rocks, and those left on board had to turn their attention to the craft. They saw Giant floundering in the boiling water, but could do nothing to aid him.
"Swing her around and pull for shore; it's our only chance!" cried
Snap. "Quick, now—-or we'll all go to the bottom!"
Fighting desperately, the three lads swung the craft around slowly. It scraped on more of the rocks, and one of the oars was caught and snapped off like a pipe-stem. But then the boat struck water that was a little more calm, and soon they reached a cove and felt themselves safe for the time being.
"Where is Giant?" was Shep's question as soon as they knew the outfit was secure.
"There he is, on one of the rocks," answered Whopper. "And here comes the dog," he added as the collie came battling bravely toward them.
Soon Wags was on shore and shaking himself vigorously, acting as if such a bath was a daily occurrence.
"Hello, you fellows!" came in Giant's voice. He was sprawled out on a rock in midstream, sixty feet away.
"Are you hurt?" questioned Shep anxiously.
"No; the water was pretty soft," answered the small youth. "But
I say, how am I going to get ashore?"
"Can't you wade it?" asked Whopper.