Inland Waterways | Page 2

wardrobe, was distributed among the many receptacles in the cabin. The extreme bow was occupied by the oil tank, therefore it became necessary to put the provisions wherever they could best be kept clean and dry.
Both Philip and Harry owned double-barreled fowling pieces, and, as a matter of course, these, together with a generous supply of ammunition, were added to the outfit.
It was not until ten o'clock on Friday morning that all the preparations were completed, and the boys wanted to begin the cruise at once, paying but little attention to the warnings of an old shipmaster who contended that it was "unlucky" to weigh anchor on that day.
"Better hold over till Monday," he said, with a prophetic shake of the head. "I've known more trouble to come of a Friday sailin' than could be told in a year's time. When I was in the China trade we left Hong Kong..."
The boys left the would-be story-teller just as he was "clearing deck for action," because time was too valuable just then to be wasted listening to yarns. Their belongings were all on board the Restless, and there appeared to be no good reason why even an hour should be spent in any other manner than journeying toward the proposed destination.
"If you really want to leave port on what sailors call an unlucky day, I see no particular argument against it." Mr. Gilman said, in reply to Phil's urgent request that they be allowed to depart without loss of time. "Who is to be captain?"
"Phil," Harry and Nat replied in chorus,
"Then it shall be as he says. And now, in case of any trouble, remember that it is better to follow one poor plan to the end rather than half execute three thoroughly good ones. Obey orders until the majority are firmly convinced that the safety of all demands a change, when you are at liberty to depose the leader. In event of dissensions, and some will arise before the voyage of four months is ended, consult with us at home before proceeding to extreme measures, unless the matter should be so urgent that there is no time to be lost. You are almost men and, I believe, can govern yourselves; consequently there is nothing more for me to say. If the captain believes it is well to begin the cruise in defiance of all superstition, I will make no objection, since you are the ones who must gain or lose by the result."
The boys hesitated no longer. In anticipation of leaving port on this morning, all the good-byes had been spoken, and it only remained to take leave of Mr. Gilman, who represented Messrs. Baker and Hinkle in the matter of attending to the details of the voyage.
As a common fund the young yachtsmen had one hundred dollars, and after this had been paid to them by Gilman & Baker's book-keeper, they went on board the Restless, which was dancing about on the swell caused by a ferry-boat as if to prove her right to the name.
The city clocks were striking the hour of twelve when the hawsers were finally cast off, and under full pressure of naphtha vapor the yacht left her dock, bound for the St. Lawrence River and beyond.
There was no attempt made to "speed" the little craft during the run up the river; it was sufficient for the voyagers that they were under way, and the yacht steamed leisurely on until Bordentown was reached late in the afternoon. Here she was made fast at the most convenient point for entering the canal at an early hour next morning, and the boys set about prepping their first meal on shipboard.
The alcohol stove worked like a charm, and Nat, who had assumed the duties of cook, declared that it would be no more than sport to provide the party with three "square" meals each day. When the time for washing the dishes arrived, however, his position did not appear quite so pleasant, and but for the assistance rendered by the other members of the crew, his labors would have been prolonged until a very late hour in the evening.
Tired though the boys were, sleep did not come at their bidding. The novelty of the situation was sufficient to keep all eyes open until past midnight, and when they awakened next morning the fleet of boats which had arrived during the evening were being hauled toward the lock, the captain of each doing his best to get in first.
"We can't stop for breakfast now," Phil said as he made a hurried toilet. "If we wait for all these clumsy crafts to go through, it will be nine o'clock before it is possible to get under way."
Harry went on shore to pay the toll of ten dollars while Phil and