But all the same the hunt was hot, and in spite of Mary’s foresight and the manner in which she guided her friends, the dogs were nearly upon them as the boat was reached.
“In first,” whispered Abel; but Mary protested and would have hung back had not Bart lifted her bodily in after wading into the mud, where he stood and held the side of the frail canoe.
“Now, Abe,” he whispered.
“I can hear them,” shouted a voice. “Loose the dogs. Seize ’em, boys, seize ’em!”
“Here, room for me?” whispered Dinny.
“No,” cried Abel, fiercely. “Keep back!”
“I’m coming wid you,” cried Dinny.
Bart caught him by the shoulder.
“No, no, my lad, we’re escaping; this is no place for you.”
“Be my sowl, this isn’t,” said Dinny, shaking himself free, and seizing the side of the boat he began to wade and thrust her from the shore. “In with you too.”