full, and the
willows that fringed the bit of green grass were far out into the water.
The water almost touched the bridge across the road, and filled the
hollow along the embankment.

"And, besides, you are going to sail," said Jem.

"I think it would be quite as pleasant to stay here."

They were all sitting on the little gallery before the house. It must
have been a charming place once, when the river could be seen from it,
and the pretty view beyond. At present, nothing could be seen on that
side but the high embankment, and the few rods of garden-ground. On the
other side were the willows, already green and beautiful, and some
early-budding shrubs and the grass. Then there was the water, flowing
down between the two bridges, and, over all, the blue sky and the sweet
spring air. It was a charming place still, or it seemed so to David and
them all.

The garden-beds had already been made, and a great many green things
were springing here and there, and, on a rugged old apple-tree and on
some plum and cherry trees, the buds were beginning to show themselves.
The children were eager to be at work, but, for the present, that was
not to be thought of. However, there was much to be said about the
garden, and about the seeds which were to be sown, and Jessie was eager
about a plan for covering the high embankment with squash-vines and
scarlet-runners. Fred wanted to keep bees, and ducks if they could have
them, but bees certainly; and amid the happy clamour which their voices
made there came a shout, and, from under the railway bridge from the
river, a boat was seen advancing.

"Here we are at last!" called out Frank Oswald; "and it looks very much
as if here we must stay. We cannot get any further, Phil."

The Inglis children were soon as near the boat as the willows and the
water would permit. There seemed to be no way of getting the boat to
the bank, for the willows were far out into the water, and through them
it could not be forced.

"You'll have to land on the other side and go round by the bridge," said
Jem.

They were not using oars. That would have been impossible in a channel
so narrow. They were pushing the boat through the water by means of a
long pole, but it was not very easily managed, because of the
shallowness of the water and the bushes that grew on the margin.

"Jem is right; we must go to the other side," said Frank.

"Not I," said his brother, as he planted his pole firmly on the