Inland Waterways | Page 2

locker. The tent, cot beds and hammocks were stored
in the standing room, while the remainder of the outfit, together with
the 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