"It certainly made me sweat too," said Bob.
"That was because you were under terrific physical and nervous tension. A minute or even half a minute under such conditions will exhaust one more than half a day's hard work," said Mr. Waterman.
"Gee, I don't dare write home my full experiences of my first day at camp," said Pud. "That mamma of mine would be up here taking me home."
"Yes, I guess we had both better let this story wait until we are home, for it would only worry them," said Bob.
"That's the sensible thing to do, for it is very unlikely that you will be exposed to such danger a second time," said Mr. Anderson.
The two canoes started across the lake. They noticed the small tree dislodged by the bowlder. It was floating near the base of the cliff and had been snapped off like a pipe stem.
In spite of the excitement of the day, the boys had a good appetite for their supper. Afterwards they sat around the camp fire that had been made in front of Mr. Waterman's tent and talked of many things. The guides could be seen lying back on their balsam boughs before the fire, talking and gesticulating.
"We'll have to go over and talk to the guides some time," said Bob. "They seem to have a lot to tell each other."
"Yes, they are talkative to-night. Generally they have not much to say unless you get them telling some of their experiences," said Mr. Anderson.
"What do you say to a taste of portaging to-morrow?" asked Mr. Waterman of the boys.