“If the sun comes out we can climb a tall tree and get the lay of the land,” said Dave. “Or, I can climb it alone, since your ankle is hurt. How does it feel now?” “No worse,” answered his cousin. “I think if I can keep off it for a few hours it will be all right again. But it was a pretty bad twist.” “Do you notice that the river seems to be growing narrower?” said Dave, after a short spell of silence. “I have been wondering if we are not on some branch,” was the reply. “Anyway, it is flowing much swifter than before.” “Maybe we had better turn into shore now.” “I think so myself. We don’t want to run into anything.” They started to turn the canoe around. To their surprise the water began to boil and foam on all sides of them. Then came a grating sound from the bottom. “We just ran over a rock!” cried Dave. “Henry, this is getting dangerous!” “I think so myself, Dave. Come, we will make for the shore over yonder. Perhaps—— Oh!” Henry’s remarks came to a sudden ending, as the canoe swept swiftly under the low-hanging branch of a big tree. The young hunter was standing up at the time, and he was carried overboard in a flash, paddle in hand. Then the canoe struck a rock, slid up along some tree-roots, and began to fill with water! CHAPTER VI BACK TO THE FORT Henry was so taken by surprise that it was not until he found himself over his head in the river he realized what had occurred. His shoulder struck a rock, but the blow was of small moment. He came up, spluttering and still holding the paddle. “Whe—where are you, Dave?” was his first question, as he dashed the water from his eyes. There was no answer, and in the mist and darkness he could see nothing. He struck out, and soon reached a spot where he could stand on the rocky bottom of the watercourse. He was under some tree-limbs, and knew that the shore must be close at hand. “I say, Dave!” he called again. “Dave!” “Henry!” was the feeble reply. The voice was sufficient for Henry to locate the canoe, and he hastened toward it. Feeling around in the utter darkness he caught hold of his cousin’s knee and then his arm. “What’s the matter? Are you hurt?” “I—I don’t know,” faltered Dave. “A tree-limb struck me on the head.” He put up his hand. “Phew! I’ve got a lump on my forehead like a walnut!” Henry could feel that the canoe was filling with water, and so lifted up the guns and the powder and bullet horns. Dave was slowly recovering from the shock received. Both stood up and leaned against a thick limb above the canoe. “Let us follow the limb to shore,” said Henry, and this was done, they taking everything that had been in the canoe with them. Among the jagged rocks the water swirled swiftly, and they had to pick their way with care. Close to the tree-trunk was a deep hole, and they had to circle this. At last they stood on the shore, where the rocks were backed up by brushwood and tall timber.