It could not have got away without help, for it was firmly tied to a ring in the jetty by the chain, which served as a painter, and even if that had become loosened the canoe would have remained near its moorings, for there was no current in the lake to carry it from the shore.

Beyond a doubt, it had been stolen.

Don would not have felt the loss more keenly if the thief had taken his fine sail-boat.

The canoe was almost as old as he was, and in it he and Bert had taken their first ride on the lake and captured their first wounded duck.
"It's gone," said Don, after he and Bert had looked all around the lake as far as their eyes could reach, "and that's all there is of it.

But we'll not give up our trip.