“Why, I can see the bottom all the way; and then I know by the rapidity of the current, that it must be quite shallow.”
Just then they observed some men coming down towards them, on the bank of the river. Royal’s father asked them, when they came up to where he was standing, if there were any boats on the river.
“Yes,” said the men, “there is a small boat just above here, which you can have if you want. Only bring it safe back again.”
“I am very much obliged to you,” said Lucy’s father; “are there any oars?”
“There are some paddles,” replied one of the men. “They’re hid in the bushes, just opposite the boat. There is a padlock on the boat, and it looks as if it was locked, but it is not. You can take the padlock right off.”
The men then went on their way down the river, and Lucy and Royal ran along the bank to see if they could find the boat. Their father followed them more slowly. Presently, however, they all came to the place where the boat was lying.
It was a very small boat indeed. It was drawn up partly upon the bank, which was here not quite so steep as where the children had first stood, but was yet considerably precipitous. The boat was fastened, by a chain, to the root of a large elm-tree, which was growing upon the bank, the roots having been laid bare by the action of the water. There was a padlock passing through a link of the chain in such a way as to give the boat the appearance of being fastened; but Lucy’s father found that the padlock would open easily, without any unlocking, and so they soon got the boat at liberty.
Royal then went to look around among the grass and bushes near, to see if he could find the paddles. Presently he called out, “Here they are!” and in a few minutes he brought them to his father.
“Now, Lucy,” said her father, “do you want to get in and sail across the river?”
“Isn’t there any danger?” said Lucy.