Chapter 16 OUT ON THE RAFT
　　There were four little paddles. Dick got them, and gave everyone one each. Timmy looked downsolemnly at the raft. What was it? Surely he was not expected to ride on that bobbing, floating thing?
　　Julian was on the raft already, holding it steady for the others. He helped Anne on and then Georgestepped down. Dick came last - well, not quite last, because Timmy was not yet on.
　　'Come on, Tim!' said George. 'It's all right! It's not the kind of boat you're used to, but it acts in thesame way. Come on, Timmy!'
　　Timmy jumped down and the raft bobbed violently. Anne sat down suddenly with a giggle¹. 'Oh dear -Timmy is so sudden! Keep still, Tim - there isn't enough room on this raft for you to walk all over it.'
　　Julian pushed the raft out of the boat-house. It knocked against the wooden ledge² as it went, and thenswung out on to the backwater outside. It floated very smoothly³.
　　'Here we go!' said Julian, paddling deftly⁴. 'I'll steer⁵, Dick. None of you need to paddle till I say so. Ican paddle and steer at the moment, till we get on to the lake itself.'
　　They were all sitting on the raft except Timmy, who was standing⁶ up. He was very interested inseeing the water flow past so quickly. Was this a boat then? He was used to boats - but in boats thewater was never quite so near. Timmy put out a paw into the water. It was pleasantly cool and tickledhim. He lay down with his nose almost in the water.
　　'You're a funny dog, Timmy!' said Anne. 'You won't get up too suddenly, will you, or you'll knockme overboard.'
　　Julian paddled down the little backwater and the raft swung out on to the lake itself. The childrenlooked to see if there was any sign of Maggie and Dirty Dick.
　　'There they are!' said Julian. 'Out in the middle, rowing hard. Shall we follow them? If they knowwhere the Saucy⁷ Jane is they'll lead us to it.'
　　'Yes. Follow them,' said Dick. 'Shall we paddle now? We'll have to be quick or we may lose them.'

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