So both children turned their effort to shoving off the ice-floe and soon succeeded in moving it beyond the reach of the poles. As they watched it being caught gradually by the river current, Don whispered to his sister.
"Now, let's get back as quickly as we can!"
But the poles were too short now to touch bottom, and there were no ice cakes about to offer the necessary resistance.
"What now?" asked Dot, looking at Don with full understanding of their dangerous position.
"What would you advise?" said Don, looking at the dark water.
"Can we swim ashore?" asked Dot.
"Nope! not in this current. Besides the water's as cold as ice, you know. We'd have cramps in a minute."
Silence for some time, while each one thought of some way to escape from the raft.
"I know! Pull up the chain from the water and let's sling it over something on shore as soon as we float opposite!"
"Ain't that just like a girl! Why, Dot, I thought that bein' my twin you'd have more sense than that!" replied Don, disdainfully.