Further observation confirmed his belief that the river was a tidal one, and that the plains and the bay of Westernport were not far off. They were not long in recovering the canoe, which was found entangled in the boughs of a tree which overhung the water not far from the spot where they had slept. To get in her with their baggage was a very ticklish affair indeed, and even when once afloat extreme caution was requisite to prevent an upset. Dodge had provided himself with a short pole by means of which he paddled down the stream, and by great dexterity and some experience he avoided many impediments which beset his progress.
As the first blush of morning was tinting the hills, now some distance in the rear, and as our friends were congratulating themselves on the success which had hitherto attended their voyaging, a disagreeable grating was felt under the frail vessel and the splintered end of the bough of a tree made its appearance through the bottom of the canoe. "Sit still," said Dodge, "be steady, and she won't capsize: you shan't drown if she does. Sit more my end, Slinger; Raymond, handle some of the spare mud, and as soon as she clears the snag, which she will do as soon as I am overboard, caulk her—dab up the hole." As Dodge spoke the last words he stepped lightly to a partially immersed limb of the tree of which the offending bough also formed a portion, and gradually relieved the canoe of his weight though at the expense of a ducking. As she rose the hole was stopped with mud, but there appeared a prospect of her momentarily parting amidships, so she was hastily dragged ashore and overhauled, when the damages were found to be of such a nature that she was forthwith abandoned.
A rising ground near attracted their attention, and on gaining the summit, a part of the bay of Westernport was plainly seen, whilst the undulating country which intervened was clothed
