WE WALK ACROSS 97 



though feeling as buoyant as Captain Boyton, and looking 

 every moment to be floated off, I managed with the help 

 of my gun to keep my legs, crossing the narrow channel, 

 and emerging on a bit of land which just showed above 

 the water. 



And then I had quite a long exploration. For there 

 was a second and deeper channel beyond. But finding 

 my island tailed off into a shallow, I followed it carefully 

 a long way down the middle of the river. At last, by 

 little and little it led to the further bank, and I emerged 

 safe and sound some quarter of a mile lower down. 



But these river inquiries meant a double journey for 

 me. Back I went till once more I reached my island. 

 From the water it was possible to see better how the 

 snow lay, and I found Hyland an easier place. 



And now it was the old puzzle of the fox, the goose, 

 and the bag of corn. How was everything to be got 

 over? I could only settle it in one way. Balancing my- 

 self on my nasty wet little island, I pulled off the long 

 boots and flung them across to Hyland. 



It was an anxious moment. 



The first travelled splendidly, spinning right up on to 

 the top of the snow. But the second catching the edge 

 of the snow-bank slithered down and was in the water 

 before you could wink. You can imagine the desperate 

 plungings and snatchings which rescued it. But it was 

 rescued, emptied of water, and eventually figured on 

 Hyland's other leg. 



