"We shall be carried down the river, if we don't look out!" I called, anxiously.
"What shall we do? We can't reach bottom with the poles," replied Morgan.
"Clear away a long rope," I added. "When the current of Fish River strikes us, we shall be carried down in spite of all we can do, if we don't get a check on her."
"Here's your rope."
"Cast off the drag-line, and make fast to it."
Morgan did as I directed, and taking the line into the boat, I carried it to the point on the Fish opposite the landing. I succeeded in catching a turn around a tree. The rope strained, and I was obliged to ease it off to prevent it from snapping; but the raft was checked.
"We are all right now," said Morgan.
"Not quite," I replied. "If we let her go again, the current will carry it down the river."
I jumped into the barge, and pulled across the river, where I had plenty of rope in the shanty. I carried a line to the raft, and having made it fast, I conveyed the two soldiers to the shore. Crossing the river, I eased off the line which was secured to the tree, while the men on the other side pulled the raft up to the landing.
"That's very well done, Phil," said Morgan, after my return.