cabin.

What mattered it if the rope was second hand, and the block
creaked for want of grease--that last fault was speedily
rectified; and having fastened one end of the line to a tree on
the opposite side of the creek, the boys secured a purchase and
then exerted themselves to the utmost.

It was a success, for now they had a firm foundation, whereas with
the poles it was partly a case of lost force, the soft nature of
the ground preventing them from doing their best.

Impulsive Thad gave a cheer when the boat began to move in
response to their united endeavor, and presently glided off her
slippery bed into the deeper channel of the creek.

"A close shave," declared Maurice, wiping the perspiration from
his forehead, and surveying the late resting place of the
shanty-boat with satisfaction.

"I should remark," echoed his chum, dancing a hornpipe on the
deck; "just think what if we had been stuck here a week or two;
all our grub gone, and the dickens to pay with our plans. Never
again for me. I'm going to be the most careful chap when it comes
to lying up to a bank with this craft you ever saw."

"I'll get the line loose while you start up the fire. Then we'll
push out of here and cook breakfast while we float downstream.
Every mile made now may save us trouble later; for you know what
old Pap Larkin told us about sudden freezes coming sometimes in