An instant afterward, Marco, finding that his cap was not upon his head, looked around for it, and, to his dismay, he saw it floating swiftly away down the rapids.

He ran into the water and seized the boat, which was then beginning also to go away.

He called upon the boys to help him pull it up and pour the water out.

He then lanched it again with all speed, seized one of the poles, clambered into it, and pushed off into the swiftest part of the current, and away he went after his cap.
[Illustration: CAP GONE.] He resorted to this desperate measure, because he was greatly alarmed at the idea of going home without his cap.

It would have certainly insured his detection, and, as he supposed, a double punishment.