Without stopping, however, to
inquire more, he moved to the head of the canoe, and, with a sharp
blow on the fingers, made each of the savages release his grasp.
Then, seizing the rice-plants, he dragged the little craft swiftly
to windward again. All this was done, as it might be, in an instant;
the savages and the canoe being separated some twenty feet, in much
less time than is required to relate the occurrence.
"Bourdon, are you injured?" asked Margery, her voice trembling with
anxiety.
"Not in the least, dear Margery--and you, my excellent girl?"
"They caught my canoe, and I almost died of fright; but they have
only dragged it toward the shore."
"God be praised! Is there any paddle in the canoe?"
"There are several--one is at your feet, Bourdon--and here, I have
another."
"Then, let us search for my canoe, and get out of the rice. If we
can but find my canoe, we shall be safe enough, for the savages have
nothing in which to cross the river. Keep your eyes about you,
Margery, and look among the rice for the other boat"
The search was not long, but it was intently anxious. At length
Margery saw the lost canoe just as it was drifting past them, and it
was secured immediately.
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