Under the pressure of four paddles the canoe maintained a rapid speed, but in spite of this it was fully an hour, and probably much more, before they found the shore of the lake. They rested a little while beside the perpendicular wall of rock, uncertain which way to turn.
"It won't make much difference," said Guy; "either course must bring us to the outlet. Suppose we try the right."
This proposition met with favor, and off they started once more, taking care to keep the shore constantly in sight, lest they should lose their bearings again.
In less than half an hour the sound of running water was heard in the distance, and they paddled faster than ever in their intense longing to escape from the lake.
Louder and louder grew the roar of the water, until they seemed to be almost upon it, and just when they were preparing for a dash into the rapids Chutney rose in the canoe with a cry of surprise, and the torchlight showed plainly a fierce body of water running, not out of, but into the lake.
They had come back to the starting point. It was here they had entered the lake, and now all must be done over again.
"Back water," cried the colonel. "Don't get into the current. It may sweep us out and we shall lose our bearings. Turn the canoe and we will go back the way we came."
There was no help for it. It only remained to atone for the lost time by paddling as rapidly as possible.
With difficulty the canoe was snatched from the influx of the current and headed this time to the left.
"It will be a lengthy paddle," said Guy. "The lake is by no means a small one."