“Did you?” replied Jock, eagerly. “I didn’t know that you knew him.”
“Oh, yes, we’ve had business relations for years. He’s a good man.”
“You’re not the only one to hold that opinion,” said the boy, with a laugh.
“No, I am aware of that. He wrote and requested me to keep an eye on you. From what I saw this morning, I’m afraid I ought to keep two eyes in the direction of your camp, instead of one.”
Jock laughed, and his cheeks flushed slightly as he heard the laugh echoed by the girls, but he protested that such an accident as that which had occurred was not to be considered in a serious light.
“Not that, perhaps,” replied Mr. Clarke, “but the one your friend had the other night was serious enough. It was a narrow escape he had.”
“Yes, we were all badly frightened.”
“I’m not going to scold you, for I doubt not you’ll learn by your mistakes. Still I should advise you not to take many chances with canoes on this river. What with the swift current and the squalls which come, no man knows when or how, it’s hardly safe for one who is not an expert.”
“I know that, and we shall be careful.”
“That’s right. Now Mrs. Clarke would be pleased, I know, to have you go back home with us and dine there to-day; or if it is not convenient to-day, then some other day will do as well,” he added, as he saw that Jock hesitated.