"I did a minute ago, but just now it strikes me the trees kind of look further away."
"That's a fact, they do; but mebbe it's only a little bay before we strike that point, you know," continued the other lad.
They dared not halt a single minute in their labor, for fear lest the boat be carried further out on the raging river.
"How are you—feel cold?" asked Thad, a little later.
"Not much—I'm as warm as toast, all but my hands, and they're freezing. But where's the land, Thad? Can you see anything of those bully old trees, partner?"
"Mighty little just now; but I'm hoping they ain't going to give us the shake just yet. That would be mighty mean, when we think so much of 'em!" said the second willing worker, as he tugged and strained with all his power.
It really looked more perilous than ever around the bobbing shanty-boat, which was now being tossed about on the water very much after the style of a cork.
And if the waves ran so high close to the shore what must they be far, far out yonder toward the middle of the mighty stream?
Neither of the tugging lads wanted to picture the scene; indeed, they had all they could manage in considering how the wabbly craft might be piloted so as to once more hug the friendly shore.
Presently a shout from Maurice, rather feeble it must be confessed, for he was short of breath just then, announced that he had made some sort of happy discovery.