Altogether, with the provisions,
it weighed close to one hundred and fifty pounds.
We were by no means sure that the thing would carry us, and when
once we had reached the water we forgot caution in our haste to
try it. We held it at the edge while Desiree arranged herself on
the pile of skins. The spears lay across at her feet, strapped
down for security.
Harry stepped across to the farther edge of the raft.
"Ready!" he called, and I shoved off, wading behind. When the
water was up to my knees I climbed aboard and picked up my oar.
"By all the nine gods, look at her!" cried Harry in huge delight.
"She takes about three inches! Man, she'd carry an army!"
"Allons!" cried Desiree, with gay laughter. "C'est Perfection!"
"Couldn't be better," I agreed; "but watch yourself, Hal. When we
get into the current things are going to begin to happen. If it
weren't for the beastly darkness 'twould be easy enough. As it
is, one little rock the size of your head could send us to the
bottom."
We were still near the bank, working our way out slowly. Harry
and I had to maintain positions equidistant from the center in
order to keep the raft balanced; hence I had to push her out
alone.
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