The Canoe Trip Mystery Read Online Free PDF Page B

never any answer. Aunt Jane’s canoe had vanished!

CHAPTER 7
    Angela Comes Back
    W hen the fog blew in, Aunt Jane and Jessie decided to paddle ashore. They thought Henry’s canoe was right behind them, but it wasn’t.
    Jessie and Benny called very loudly to let Henry and Violet know where they were. But their voices were carried away by the wind. There was no response.
    It was hard to see where the shore was. Very slowly, Aunt Jane and Jessie were able to steer themselves to the nearest bank.
    As they pulled the canoe out of the water,the wind grew stronger. The waves became larger and splattered over the edge of the canoe.
    â€œWe got out of the water just in time,” Jessie said.
    She tied the canoe’s rope around the trunk of a tree and brushed her wet hair out of her eyes. Then she quickly rummaged through the backpacks for the rain jackets. She handed Benny the bright red one. Hers was her favorite color, a rich royal blue. It made her feel better just to put it on.
    â€œI certainly hope the others are all right,” Aunt Jane said. She looked very worried as she pulled on her pale green rain jacket.
    â€œI thought they were right behind us,” Jessie said. She looked toward the lake but could only see a few feet in front of her.
    â€œHenry is an experienced canoeist. I’m sure he’ll steer them ashore safely.” Aunt Jane sounded as if she was trying to convince herself.
    â€œAnd Rob Wilson is with them. He’ll know what to do,” Jessie pointed out.
    The fog grew thicker and thicker. SoonJessie could barely see her hands when she held them in front of her. She huddled near Benny and Aunt Jane under the pine trees.
    â€œIt’s lucky there’s no thunder or lightning,” Aunt Jane commented.
    â€œThat’s good,” Benny said. He held out his hand to Jessie. When he realized she couldn’t see it, he tapped her arm.
    Jessie grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Don’t worry, Benny. We’ll be all right. It’s not a bad storm.”
    â€œNo, but it’s very bad fog.” Aunt Jane groped in front of her until she found Jessie’s arm. She gave it a gentle pat. Above them, the pine and oak trees swayed in the wind.
    The water came farther and farther up onto the shore. It swirled around the canoe and gently rocked it from side to side. Aunt Jane suggested that they move up the bank.
    â€œYou know, Henry and Violet probably paddled ashore, too. We just can’t see them from where we are,” Benny said.
    â€œI hope so,” Jessie replied.
    Half an hour later, the fog began to lift a little. Aunt Jane and the Aldens were surprised to see another canoe tied up not far from theirs.
    â€œI bet that’s Henry’s canoe!” Benny shouted, running toward it.
    â€œI don’t think so,” Jessie said.
    â€œThat’s a wooden canoe. Henry’s is made of aluminum,” Aunt Jane pointed out.
    Jessie grabbed a plastic pail from their canoe and began to bail it out. Aunt Jane and Benny looked in the bag of food for something to eat. They did not notice two men coming up behind them.
    â€œSo, you got caught in the storm, too,” one of the men said.
    Aunt Jane jumped. Jessie dropped her pail of water.
    The two men were very tall. One had long blond hair. The other had short, wavy dark hair. Both men looked as if they hadn’t shaved in a few days. Their clothes were very rumpled.
    â€œSorry, we didn’t mean to scare you,” the blond man said. He had a loud, booming voice.
    The other man sneezed loudly and gropedin his pockets for a handkerchief.
    The men introduced themselves as Matt and Bill. Matt was the blond one. They told Aunt Jane, Benny, and Jessie they worked for the forestry service.
    â€œWe’re mapping some canoe routes,” Matt explained. “This old canoe has gotten us around very well.” He pointed to his wooden one. “We had to come ashore when the fog