Part 5 (2/2)
When I was down the river last spring, you couldn't see a single rock above water, and we don't draw more than six inches.”
”But that was in the spring, when the water was high. I don't believe we can get the boat through.”
”Yes, we can; at any rate, we can jump ash.o.r.e and tow her down,”
replied Ben, confidently, though his calculations were somewhat disturbed by Harry's reasoning.
”There is another difficulty, Ben,” suggested Harry.
”O, there are a hundred difficulties; but we mustn't mind them.”
”They will miss the boat, and suspect at once who has got it.”
”We shall be out of their reach when they miss it.”
”I heard George Leman say he was going a fis.h.i.+ng in her to-morrow.”
”Did you? Then why didn't you say so before?” retorted Ben, angrily.
”Because you didn't tell me what you were going to do. How could I?”
”Never mind; it is no use to cry for spilt milk. We will make the best of it.”
”We are in for it now.”
”That we are; and if you only stick by me, it will all come out right.
If we get caught, you must keep a stiff upper lip.”
”Never fear me.”
”And, above all, don't blow on me.”
”Of course I won't.”
”Whatever happens, promise that you will stick by me.”
”I will, Ben.”
”That's a good fellow, Harry. On that, we will take a bit of luncheon, and have a good time of it.”
As he spoke, Ben drew out from under the seat in the bow a box filled with bread and cheese.
”You see we are provisioned for a cruise, Harry,” added Ben, as he offered the contents of the box to his companion. ”Here is enough to last us two or three days.”
”But you don't mean to keep on the river so long as that?”
”I mean to stick to the boat as long as the navigation will permit,”
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