The line was uncoiled and thrown three times, but each time it
fell short and drifted inshore again.
"Hurry up!" suddenly yelled Sam. "The tree is beginning to turn,
and it will break loose before long."
"Let me try a throw," said Dick, and took the wash line. As he
made the cast, Tom came up on a walk, his head tied up in a
handkerchief.
"Where is Sam?"
"Out there," said Joel Darrel, and watched the casting of the line
with interest. Again it fell short, but Dick's second throw was a
complete success, and soon Sam held the outer end of the line
fast.
"It reaches, and we have about fifteen feet to spare," said Dick
joyfully. "Sam, tie it around you." Scarcely had the word left
the younger brother's lips than the tree upon which he rested
wobbled and went over, and he found himself thrown into the
foaming water.
"Pull away, all hands!" cried Dick, and hauled in desperately,
while Joel Darrel did the same. Tom was not equal to the task,
but contented himself with holding fast to Dick's coat, that his
elder brother might not slip from the rock.
It was no light work to get Sam up the first rise of the rapids,
but once this rise was passed the rest was easy by comparison.
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