They passed Black Rock, coming at last to the first portage marked by the birches. Abandoning the canoe they started unencumbered through the forest, for Jack knew where a Forest Service canoe had been hidden at Elf Lake. Twice he paused to examine the trail.
“He came this way all right.”
Emerging from among the trees at Elf Lake, they scanned the water. There was no sign of a boat or canoe. Jack frowned. Apparently, the chemist had traveled fast.
A moment later, the frown changed to a distinct scowl as he searched the bushes in vain for the hidden government canoe. Almost at once he noted the long marks on the sand, disclosing where it had been dragged to the water.
“Clyde’s made off with our canoe! Now we are in it!”
Madge’s eye fastened upon an unpainted rowboat abandoned upon the sand.
“It’s a regular tub and probably leaks like a sieve,” she announced, “but it’s our only hope.”
They found the oars and quickly launched the boat. All of Madge’s dire predictions were found true. She bailed steadily to keep the boat afloat.
“We’re losing time,” Jack said gruffly. “Wendell has a fast canoe now.”
“But he’s a dub at paddling,” Madge added hopefully. “We have a chance of overtaking him at the Rice Lake portage.”