"THE DAUNTLESS IS IN THE GORGE."
He turned away to hide his feelings, and when he looked again the boat was sweeping rapidly between the cliffs. Silently the boys watched, until the jutting crag hid it from view, and then, with heavy hearts, retraced their steps. For some time none could trust themselves to speak.
"What an awful difference a few hours has made," said Sam, finally, in an unsteady voice. "Poor Howard, I can't understand how he was ever caught like that."
"Looked to me as if the 'Dauntless' had lost its rudder," answered Phil, tremulously. "The wind's pretty strong, too, and if an accident happened near the passageway it would be easy to get carried out."
"Never felt so bad in all my life," put in Tom Clifton. "Fenton was such a jolly good chap."
"I can't help feeling that Howard will be saved in some way," said Sam.
But Phil Levins shook his head gloomily.
"You don't know Canyon River, Sam," he exclaimed. "Everybody will tell you that Fenton hasn't a chance."
They soon reached the "Spray," and hastily embarked. So eager were they to get ashore that the boat seemed to move at a snail's pace. But once outside the passageway, a good, stiff breeze carried them along at a rattling clip. They were obliged to tack many times, and their patience was sorely tried.