“It looks a little like rain,” he observed, squinting at the sky. “We’ll have to take our tools inside tonight.”
“Some of the stuff can be loaded into the canoe and paddled down stream to the cabin,” suggested Mr. Holloway.
Brad and Dan, aided by Fred, quickly gathered up the more cumbersome items, stowing them in the craft. Mr. Hatfield supervised the loading.
He intended to assign Brad and Dan to take the canoe in, with Mr. Holloway riding along to supervise the job.
Before he could do so, Ross grabbed up one of the paddles.
“Let me help,” he offered.
“Well, what d’you know?” Chips muttered, his mouth sagging open.
Without waiting for anyone’s consent, Ross stepped into the canoe. He and Mr. Holloway shoved off and with deft, sure strokes paddled downstream toward the nearby Holloway cabin.
“Ross certainly turned cooperative fast,” Dan muttered. “You could push me over with a hummingbird’s feather!”
“Look at that boy paddle!” murmured Midge in grudging admiration. “He’s good!”