"A long way down the river by this time, probably. Believing that we landed only for a moment, I did not fasten it, and the tide has carried it away."
"But what shall we do?"
"One of two things,—spend the night here, or go round by the bridge."
"Is it far?"
"Some three or four miles, I think."
"Is there no shorter way? no boat or carriage to be had?"
"If you care to wait, I can look for our runaway, or get a wagon from the town."
"It is growing late and you would be gone a long time, I suppose?"
"Probably."
"Which had we better do?"