"That may be," answered Sandy, still unconvinced; "but you forget that, only for this same log, we would have been safe and sound in our dugout, and paddling as nice as anything for the bank. As it is, we've lost our boat, paddle and all, as well as the fox and mink; and will have to borrow Alexander Hodgson's craft until we can build another." "Let us shout as loud as we can," proposed Bob. "Perhaps some of the settlers will hear us, if they are down near the edge of the river, watching how fast it keeps on rising." Accordingly both lads sent out sturdy calls at the top of their voices; but there came back no answering, reassuring shout. Only the murmur of the flood could be heard, or it might be a grinding noise as the log came in contact with other floating stuff. So finally the boys, as if by mutual consent, gave up hallooing. For a little time they sat there in silence, both looking uneasily toward the shore which marked the connecting link between themselves and their home, though it could only be faintly seen, where the tree-crowned hills stood out against the dull, darkening heavens. Bob suddenly aroused himself. This was no time for vain regrets. They must be up and doing, if they hoped to cope with the new and strange situation into which a freak of fortune had so suddenly thrust them. "We must try to do something to get ashore, Sandy," he said, firmly. "I was just thinking that way, myself," admitted the other; "but, since we have no paddles, and this log chooses to remain out here in the middle of the river, I'm bothered to know how it can be done." As usual, Sandy was depending part upon his brother to suggest some way out of their difficulty; not that he did not possess a bright mind himself, but when it came to quick thinking, and the suggesting of a reasonable plan, Bob was always to be relied on. "Paddles would do us little good just now, I fear," said Bob. "We are both of us good swimmers, and might be able to make the shore; but the water is very cold, and there would be danger of a cramp catching one of us. For that reason I don't like the idea of deserting this friendly log. We are at least safe as long as we have it to cling to." "But, Bob, what if we keep on floating all night? We will be chilled to the marrow with this cold wind, and the rain that promises to fall. Besides, when the dawn breaks, we will find ourselves many miles down the river. And what would mother think?" "Well, I've got a plan in my mind that might help us," the other went on. "We don't want to lose our guns, to begin with; and, once we took to the water in that way, how could we hold on to them? So here's what I was thinking. Let us fasten the guns, and our clothes, as far as we can, to this log. I always carry some buckskin thongs in the pocket of my tunic, and there are knobs here and there, where branches have been broken off." Sandy broke out laughing.