The first man grabbed one of the girls
by the arm and propelled her into the wobbling craft; while the
other shoved off. The remaining girl,--she of the azure headgear
and the verdant waist,--slipped on the grassy bank, in her
flight, and sat down very hard, at the water's edge. Already the
canoe was six feet from shore; and both men were doing creditable
acrobatic stunts to keep it from turning turtle.
"Stand perfec'ly still," one of them exhorted the damsel, as he
saw with horror that she had been left ashore in the tumbling
flight. "Stand still and don't holler! Keep your hands high. It's
likely he won't bother you. These highbred collies are pretty
gentle with women; but some of 'em are blue murder to strange
men. He--"
The man swayed for balance. His fellow-hero had brought the canoe
about, in an effort to smite with uplifted paddle at the oncoming
dog without venturing too close to the danger-line.
In the same moment, Lad had gained the brink of the lake.
Ignoring the panic-struck woman on the bank, he flashed past her
and galloped, body-deep, into the water; toward the swaying
canoe.
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