“Don’t be uneasy,” assured Bob. “There’s not the least danger. I have many a time pulled this boat from this landing alone against a worse current than this. We are perfectly safe as long as we don’t allow ourselves to be carried below that big cottonwood you see over there. If we do that, we are doomed.”
George’s fears were by no means set at rest; but, nevertheless, he got into the boat. When he had shipped his oar, Bob threw in the painter and jumped in after him, pushing the skiff away from the bank as he did so. A second later the current caught the bow of the little craft, which, in spite of all George could do to prevent it, swung around as if she had been hung on a pivot, and started with railroad speed toward the black mouth of the canyon, which seemed to yawn close in front of them.
“Steady! There is no danger,” said Bob, encouragingly, as his companion suddenly faced about on his seat, revealing a face that was as pale as death itself. “You back water strong, while I give way.”
The struggle was destined to end most disastrously.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE TERRORS OF THE CANYON.
“Don’t stop to look behind you, but back water the best you know how,” said Bob, seeing that his companion now and then ceased his exertions, and faced about on his seat to gaze at the canyon. “A few strong, steady strokes will put us all right.”
George dropped his oar into the water again, and pushed it from him with all his strength, while Bob exerted himself to the utmost to turn the boat around with the bow up stream.
For a long time the contest seemed doubtful, but gradually the skiff began to turn, and George was beginning to take heart again, when suddenly he heard an ominous snap behind him, followed by a cry of alarm from Bob.
The cold chills crept all over him. With an indescribable feeling of terror, he turned quickly about, and saw his companion holding the stump of his oar in his hands, while his eyes were riveted on the blade, which was floating off with the current.
The two boys looked at each other in silence, and then they looked toward the mouth of the canyon.