Lop-Ear and I began paddling frantically.

Whiz-zip-bang! Lop-Ear screamed with sudden anguish.

The pebble had struck him between the shoulders.

Then I got one and yelled.
The only thing that saved us was the exhausting of Red-Eye's ammunition.
He dashed back to the gravel-bed for more, while Lop-Ear and I paddled away.
Gradually we drew out of range, though Red-Eye continued making trips for more ammunition and the pebbles continued to whiz about us.

Out in the centre of the slough there was a slight current, and in our excitement we failed to notice that it was drifting us into the river.
We paddled, and Red-Eye kept as close as he could to us by following along the shore.