The stalwart black in the bows needed no telling, and the boat Mr Rogers was in was sent down and across the stream below the rapids, picking up the king first, and then man after man, till Dinny, who was emptying the water out of his boots, declared that the boat was too full, and must sink.
It did not, however, and the overturned boat being guided ashore, it was soon emptied and afloat again, with its crew looking none the worse, for, as Dinny said, it did not take their clothes long to dry.
The king was of Dinny’s opinion, for his garments of English make being very clingy and uncomfortable, he imitated the uniform of his subjects, and as everything that had floated out had been recovered, they were once more ready for an attack upon the rapids.
But the king said no; they wanted more rowers; and Dinny uttered a loud “Hurroo!” as the canoes were allowed to float back towards the town, where they at last landed, to Dinny’s great delight, safe and sound.
Chapter Thirty Two.
Warm Work in the Wilds.
“It was all through taking you, Dinny, that father had such bad sport, I know,” said Dick.
“Shure the ongratitude of the human being is wonderful,” said Dinny, addressing nobody. “Here, I save his parint’s life by keeping him from going any farther and getting himself dhrowned.”