“Wait. Let’s not give up just yet,” Mr. Hatfield said unexpectedly. He had been studying the swift river current with deep absorption. “Maybe an Indian stole our paddle, but I doubt it. Notice how fast this water moves?”
“Only one little ribbon of it,” Brad replied. “I discovered that the other day. This old river must have a lot of currents.”
Mr. Hatfield nodded. “On your toes, boys,” he said. “I’m going to try an experiment.”
“What are you going to do?” Brad asked, puzzled.
Without answering, Mr. Hatfield deliberately dropped his paddle into the river.
CHAPTER 10
AN UNDERGROUND STREAM
Brad and Dan watched in fascination as the paddle drifted away from the canoe.
At first it moved very slowly, then faster and faster.
Brad noted instantly that the paddle seemed to travel downstream much faster than the canoe and also at a quicker pace than other drifting objects nearby.
“It’s caught in an especially swift current!” he exclaimed. “I wonder what causes that fast water? An underground stream emptying into the river?”