His father did not answer, he was so intent upon the effort which he was making. He had thought of one more plan. He planted the foot of his paddle into the gravel on the bottom, opposite the middle of the boat, and then, letting the middle of the boat press against it, he endeavored to hold it by main force; but the force of the water was so great, that the boat was crowded over until it just began to let in water; so that he was obliged to release his hold, and the boat drifted away again. He then took his seat once more in the stern of the boat.
“Now, Royal,” said he, “stand up and take hold of the painter.”
“What is that?” said Royal.
“The chain,” replied his father—“the chain fastened to the bows.”
Royal did so.
“Now,” said his father, “stand up steadily upon the bows, and then step down carefully into the water.”
Royal obeyed his father’s command with much firmness. The water was about up to his knees. He staggered a little at first, as he carried with him the motion of the boat; but he soon regained a firm footing.
“Now stand still,” said his father, “and hold on.”
Royal braced himself, by his position in the water, against the action of the boat, which pulled hard upon the painter, and this immediately brought the boat round, into a position parallel with the direction of the current. By holding on firmly a moment longer, he stopped the boat, and the current swept swiftly by it, dashing the rippling waves almost over the bows. Lucy sat all this time very quietly on the middle seat, without saying a word.
“Now, Royal,” said his father, “see if you can draw us in towards the shore.”