Inland Waterways | Page 4

stern foremost, while a chorus of cries from the loungers or
boatmen in the immediate vicinity, as each gave orders at the same
time to the nearly bewildered boys, only served to make the confusion
greater.
"Cut the rope!" Phil shouted as he did his best to push the yacht's bow
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