Inland Waterways | Page 4

from the steamer, and the boatman who was the cause of all the trouble cried angrily:
"I'll knock the head off the first one who puts a knife to that tow line! I don't count on buyin' sich things for every greenhorn who comes along to whittle."
"If you'd kept it where it belonged, there wouldn't have been any trouble," Nat retorted. "Now that our screw has picked it up through your own foolishness I'll use a knife or something, so take good care not to be in the way."
It appeared very much as if there would be a rough and tumble fight, for the skipper of the boat, having armed himself with a stout club, was preparing to leap on board the Restless; but the impatience of those in the rear caused them to insist that something definite should be done without delay, and Nat had plenty of assistance in his work of severing the rope.
The little craft had been released none too soon; already was the steamer crowding down upon the second boat, and in a few seconds the result might have been disastrous.
The drunken captain was using very forcible language as he threatened Nat, and the latter, believing discretion to be the better part of valor, started the engine once more.
Fortunately Phil had not left the wheel, and after describing a full circle at the expense of rubbing in a very unpleasant manner over the shallow side of the canal, the Restless darted ahead with the end of the tow line thumping and pounding against the counter in a manner which told of serious damage to be inflicted in case the obstruction was not speedily removed.
"We can't stop here, or the whole fleet will be on top of us," Phil said, in reply to Harry's proposition to shut off the steam. "It is against the rules to tie up at a bulkhead, so we shall have to run until we come to a basin, and if the timbers are stove we can't help it. Slow down a little, Nat, so's to make it as easy for her as possible."
The cook obeyed orders; but the thumping was not decreased materially, and the crew of the Restless felt quite positive she would not long be in condition to continue the voyage.

CHAPTER II.
UNPLEASANT NEIGHBORS.
CRIPPLED though the yacht was, the boys found no difficulty in keeping ahead of the slowly moving fleet of laden boats, and after what seemed a very long while the Restless arrived at the little settlement known as Baker's Basin, so called because of the pond-like body of water which leads from the canal.
"It's a case of going overboard to cut the rope from the screw," Phil said, as he gave the signal to stop. "By opening this draw we can get in out of the way of other boats until such time as we are ready to continue the journey."
None of the villagers were in sight; but the boys knew there would be no offense given by helping themselves, under the circumstances, and in a few moments the yacht was moored inside the towpath, at the rear of a small storehouse.
There was no particular necessity to set about the work at once, and all three made preparations for an elaborate breakfast, the unusual and early exercise having whetted their appetites until an ordinary amount of food seemed all too small to allay their hunger.
With but one stove, and that a small one, considerable time was required for the ordinary operations, therefore it was nearly noon before this very important portion of the day's duties had been finished.
"If you'll put the food away, Nat, and wash the dishes, Harry and I will try our luck on the screw. We must undress, of course, and I reckon it will be a cold job before we're through. You see..."
At that moment a rough-looking man came down the towpath, and, observing the yacht, turned in at the basin as if to make a social call.
He nodded familiarly, surveyed the Restless critically, and then said in a whining tone, as he stepped aboard without waiting for the formality of an invitation:
"Say, boys, can't you give a feller some of that 'ere grub? I'm a carpenter who has been on the tramp for a job, an' it's a good many days since I've seen such a layout as you've got there."
He was not the sort of a person any of the boys would have cared to be brought into very close contact with; yet as he had asked only for food, no one wanted to refuse him, and Phil replied:
"You are welcome to what you need."
"Now that's what I call generous," the man said, with a coarse laugh, and, instead of taking the food ashore, as Phil had supposed would be the case, he