He now was as eager to go down the rapids as he had before been to escape them.

His only care was to keep his boat head down, so that if he should encounter any snag or rock he might not be thrown broadside on.
He kept a good lookout too ahead.

The boat shot through the water like an arrow, and was soon clear of the rapids in the comparatively still water below.
Marco contrived to paddle with his pole, so as to overtake the cap and recover it.

Then he went to the shore and landed.

He drew up the boat as high as he could, and went back to seek the other boys.