"Can't be kept under by baling," Carnally remarked. "We'll have to put her on the wind and make the beach."
He hauled the sheet, but she would not bear the pressure when she brought the wind abeam, and seeing the water pouring in over her lowered side, Carnally let her fall off again.
"Looks as if we had to keep her running," he said.
"The end of the lake can't be far off and the water's too rough to do much with the paddle."
They scudded on, Andrew and Graham baling as fast as possible, while the rising water gained on them, until blurred trees and rocks began to grow out of the haze ahead. Then as a strip of beach became distinguishable they lowered the sail, and soon afterward jumped over and carried her out across the jagged driftwood that hammered on the pebbles. There was a small promontory near at hand, and Carnally walked across it while the others made camp. Supper was ready when he returned, and after the meal was finished he lay down near the fire.
"The canoe wants a patch on her bilge," he said. "Could you sew on a bit of the thin cedar with the copper wire, Graham? There's some caulking gum in the green can."
"It would take me a day to make a neat job."
"No hurry," replied Carnally. "The outlet from the lake's just beyond that rise and it looks pretty good. When you have finished the canoe, you and Andrew could take her down and wait for me where the creek runs into the river we're looking for."
"It would be hard work at the portages. But why aren't you coming with us?" Andrew asked.
"I ought to make the creek where Mappin cached the first lot of stores for our other trip in about two days' march."