But it's best to be prepared." So he brought out his pack and Marette's smaller bundle, and laid his rifle and pistol holster across them.
It was three o'clock when the character of the river began to change, and Kent smiled happily.

They were entering upon swifter waters.

There were places where the channel narrowed, and they sped through rapids.
Only where unbroken straight waters stretched out ahead of them did Kent give his arms a rest at the sweep.

And through most of the straight water he added to the speed of the scow.

Marette helped him.
In him the exquisite thrill of watching her slender, glorious body as it worked with his own never grew old.