Teddy had a wild idea that if they came near enough, he could tumble overboard and swim with the canoe to land. But he dismissed the thought as soon as it came to him, for the craft was much too heavy for any such plan as that to work. Besides, there were huge, sharp rocks along here, and if his head struck one he would be lost. “Got--to stick--to the ship,” the boy murmured, as he strained at the paddle. Suddenly Roy gave a yell. The boat lurched, and swung about in a circle. “Paddle’s gone!” he cried. “Broke! We’ll have to swim for it!” “Take this!” Teddy shouted, and thrust his own paddle back. Bug Eye, who was behind him, seized it and passed it to Roy. “Never mind trying to make shore now! Keep her straight!” Desperately Roy tried to do this. There was a sickening moment when the river seemed to fall from beneath them and for an instant they hung in space. A wave slapped them broadside. “Here--she--” Bug Eye yelled, and that was all. A rock, huge and black, loomed up before them. A crash, then a crunching sound. Water poured over the side. Then all four were struggling for their lives in a current that sought to draw them into the depths! CHAPTER XV A Vain Search When Teddy felt the dark waters close over his head, his first thought was that now, after their long journey, they were to fail. He did not fear for his own safety, unless it was that his absence would cause his father and mother worry. The rushing current swept him out of reach of the rock which had been their Scylla, and, in one vivid flash, Teddy saw Roy clinging to its ebony sides with arms that seemed almost lifeless. “Hang on, Roy!” Teddy gasped, and then he was borne out of hearing. Weighted down as he was by heavy clothes, Teddy had hard work keeping his head above the water long enough to take a full breath before being forced below the surface again. Luckily, there were no sharp-pointed rocks in his path. With desperation, Teddy struck out for the shore he saw looming in front of him. But it was impossible to make much headway against the fierce current that pulled him onward and tumbled him over like a basket in a waterfall. Finally, exhausted by his struggles, he contented himself with keeping afloat, and was promptly spilled upon the bank. So surprising was the transition from water to land that, for a moment, the boy could not realize it. One second he had been floating down a darkened, turbulent stream and the next he was tossed upon the shore, his breath almost driven from his body by the suddenness of it. “The--ole river--is full of tricks!” he gasped, and sat up. “Good-bye, canoe! I’ll bet there’s a hole in her big enough to drive a steer through!” He cleared the water from his eyes, pulled himself farther from the edge, and peered into the night. “Roy!” he yelled. “Where are you? Hey, Roy!” For a long moment he waited, then fear stole darkly upon him. Breathing quickly, he shouted once more.