"Young ladies," said Dick, as he stepped to the float, "I don't
know how many of you will care about going out in our canoe, but
we wish to invite all who would like it to try a trip within the
next few days. Four boys and two girls can go out at a time,
and in case of mishap that would leave two good swimmers to look
after each girl. We shall be glad if you will permit us to invite
you in couples."
Despite the accident of the morning the invitation was greeted
with enthusiasm.
CHAPTER IX
DICK TREMBLES AT HIS NERVE
Hiram Driggs refused to accept any money for his trouble in raising
the canoe.
"I won't charge you anything, unless upsetting your craft becomes
a troublesome habit," the boat builder declared. "Remember, I'm
a big winner on our birch bark trade."
Within the next four days all of the girls invited had been able
to take a trip up the river and back.
By this time Dick & Co. had fully acquired the mastery of their
canoe. They had had no more upsets, for "Big Chief Prescott,"
of this new Gridley tribe of young Indians, had succeeded in putting
through some rules governing their conduct when the chums were
out in their canoe. One of these rules was that no one should
change his position in the craft except the steersman at the stern.
Others would not look about at a hail unless informed by the
steersman that they might do so.
Not by any means did Dick do all the steering of the craft.
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