Dick heard the news, then ordered quietly:

"Paddle---easily."

A turn of his own blade swung the prow around so that the "Scalp-hunter"
glided in toward the hotel landing float.

To-day he had no jubilant mob of Gridleyites to fear in the excess
of their joy. Only some very gentle friends of their own town
came hurrying forward to congratulate them.

But Dr. Bentley gripped Dick's arm as soon as that young man stepped
from the canoe.

"Bring your crew along and follow me, Prescott," whispered the
physician. "You are a limp-looking lot. That was a wild, splendid
finish, but I fear you may have put it too hard to your crew.
I want to examine you all, to make sure that not too much harm
has been done by your desperate 'kill yourself' order."

Dr. Bentley led the way to the boathouse, while a hotel employ
took charge of the "Scalp-hunter."

He listened briefly at each boy's heart, then made them all sit
still for ten minutes. At the end of that time he examined them
again as to heart beat. Half an hour later he made a third examination.

"I don't believe anyone of you has sustained any lasting injury,"
said Dr. Bentley at last. "But, Prescott, don't you ever dare
give a 'kill yourself' order again. That is my order, and an