"Let us try the line and see."

Both walked up to the spur of rock they had in view. It jutted
out into the river for several yards, and was rather wet and
slippery.

"Take care, or you'll go in too," cautioned Joel Darrel. "Shall I
throw the rope out?"

"You might try it," answered Dick. "I'll hold fast to your leg,"
and he squatted down for that purpose.

The line was uncoiled and thrown three times, but each time it
fell short and drifted inshore again.

"Hurry up!" suddenly yelled Sam. "The tree is beginning to turn,
and it will break loose before long."

"Let me try a throw," said Dick, and took the wash line. As he
made the cast, Tom came up on a walk, his head tied up in a
handkerchief.

"Where is Sam?"

"Out there," said Joel Darrel, and watched the casting of the line
with interest. Again it fell short, but Dick's second throw was a
complete success, and soon Sam held the outer end of the line
fast.

"It reaches, and we have about fifteen feet to spare," said Dick