possible that any headway could be made in the face of such
a bale even if a boat could be kept right side up.
He looked back in the direction of the hotel and mut
tered, "It's my last chance and I'm going to try it. If I
make it, it will mean something to me—perhaps; if I don't—
well, I shall have a hard swim." He went to the boathouse
and left his coat, cap, and shoes, and, after selecting a pair
of strong ash oars, went back to the boat, pushed it into the
water and pulled for the open lake beyond the point.
The instant the boat left the shelter of the cove it was
almost turned around by the fierce gust which struck it;
but by a few powerful strokes it was headed into the wind,
and began to move steadily towards the island. He made
but slow progress at best, and at times he was obliged to
abandon for the moment all thoughts of advancement and
strain every energy in the task of keeping the boat from be
ing turned broadside to the waves. Towards the latter part
of the journey he was scarcely able to advance at all for he
was fast becoming exhausted by the constant strain. Wave
followed wave in quick succession, lifting the bow of the
little boat high in the air, then dropping it with a crash in
to the crest of the next one and sending a shower of foam
toward the stern. All around the waves broke with a roar,
then rose again, ragged and dark, curled over and dashed
against the little craft, and, rushing with a hiss along the
side, disappeared' in the tumult far astern. Toward the
last, too, the boat itself seemed exhausted by the violence of
the storm. Instead of rising to meet the oncoming waves
she struck her nose sullenly against them, each time ship
ping more and more water and becoming more difficult to
manage.
Cameron dared not stop to bail out the water rising
around his feet, for an inStant of • relaxation at the oars
would have meant an overturned boat; and he dared not
attempt to turn around, for the boat would have capsized at
once in the trough of the waves. There was but one thing
A Rough Ride.