Nearer and nearer to the surface of the water came the canoe.

“Now, watch for my hand signal all the time,” called Driggs.  “I don’t want to get the middle part of the canoe more than an inch above the surface.”

When the point of the canoe’s prow rose above the surface of the water a cheer went up from the scow that carried the news instantly back to the landing float.

Danny Grin stood up, waving his hat and cheering hoarsely, while the girls who surrounded him waved handkerchiefs and parasols.

Then the gunwale appeared just above water along the whole length.

“It will be a hard job to bail her out now,” Dave declared.

“Not so hard that it will worry you any,” Driggs smiled.

He dragged a pump over, allowing its flexible pipe to rest down into the water in the canoe.

“Now, some of you youngsters get hold of the pump handles,” Driggs ordered.

Five high school boys got hold with a will.  Gradually, as the water was emptied out of her the canoe rose higher and higher in the water.

There was no cheering, now, from the boys on the scow.  They were using all their breath working the pump, while Driggs carefully directed the bottom of the flexible tubing.

“There!” declared Driggs at last.  “Barring a little moisture, your canoe is as dry as ever it was, boys.  I can’t see a sign of a leak anywhere, either.  But don’t make a practice of tipping it over every day, for I can’t afford to leave my work to help you out.  There’s your canoe, and she’s all right.”

Dick got hold of the painter at the bow, while Driggs released the grappling tackle.

What a cheer went up from the scow, and what a busy scene there was on the float as the young women jumped up and down in their glee over the good fortune of Dick & Co.

“Now, we’ll cruise down and get the paddles,” Driggs proposed.

“As soon as we pick up a couple of them, Dick and I can take the canoe and get the rest,” Dave suggested.

“You cannot, while the young ladies are with us,” Hiram Driggs contradicted.  “Do you want to scare them to death by having another upset?”

Laura shot a grateful glance at kindly Hiram Driggs.  The scow moved forward, cruising among the paddles until all of them had been recovered.

“Now, Mr. Driggs, won’t you stop a moment?” asked young Prescott.  “It will be a bit humiliating to be towed into dock.  Wait, and let us get into the canoe.  We’d rather take it ashore under our own power.”

Laura hoped Hiram Driggs would veto the idea, but he didn’t.

The canoe was brought alongside, and five boys stepped carefully into it, seating themselves.

“Room for one young lady in here, if we can find a fair way of drawing lots between them,” suggested Dick playfully.

“They won’t step into the canoe, just now, if I can prevent them,” Driggs declared flatly.  “You boys want just a few minutes’ more practice at your new game before you risk the lives of these girls.”