d start. The upper part of the creek is not quite so crooked,
but we are sure of a cruise of not less than one hundred and fifty
miles. The creek is navigable all the way from Oakville, and there are
not more than twelve or fifteen dams in the whole distance.

"The water is deep, and the current is swift in some places, sluggish in
others. The channel winds through heavy timber lands and between high,
rocky cliffs. The mountains are not far away. The fishing is splendid,
and woodcock and snipe are plentiful."

Here Ned laid down the bundle of notes from which he had been reading.

"It will be a delightful trip," he added eagerly. "The Susquehanna can't
compare with it. Instead of having to paddle our twenty or thirty miles
a day in the broiling sun, and camp on gravel bars or grass flats, we
can drift leisurely in the cool shade of the overhanging trees, stop
when we please and as long as we please, and take our pick of a hundred
beautiful camping places. In fact it will be a camping trip and canoe
trip combined.

"And what's more we will be the first to navigate the creek. No canoe,
or boat either, has ever made the winding journey from the head waters
to the mouth. It is unexplored territory, except to the farmers and a
few stray fishermen. You can take your choice now. Which is it to be?
The Susquehanna or the Conodoguinet?"

Ned put the papers in his pocket and sat down.

"I say the creek, by all means, boys," exclaimed Randy.

"Same here!" echoed Clay.

"Aw, yes! that must be a beautiful stream, don't you know," drawled
Nugget, in such a serio-comic tone that his companions burst out
laughing.

When quiet was restored the map became the center of attraction, and Ned
gladly pointed out places of interest and volunteered all sorts of
information. As the hours went by the boys waxed enthusiastic over the
proposed cruise. The details were mostly planned out, and then a long
discussion ensued over the choice of a name for the club.

Many titles were suggested and rejected, but finally Ned struck a happy
combination, and the organization was unanimously christened the "Jolly
Rovers."

At ten o'clock the boat house was locked up, and the boys climbed the
bank, and went down through the city to their respective homes.

Now that the cruise was a settled fact the Jolly Rovers threw all their
energies into needed preparations. In the evening, and between school
hours they were always to be found at Randy's boat