are itching to
take hold of a paddle."

"So are mine," exclaimed Randy. "Let's be off as soon as possible."

With the farmer's aid the canoes were speedily taken from the wagon and
placed on the grass close to the water's edge. They were built on
somewhat different lines, but all were serviceable and well adapted for
speed. The framework and the canvas were both light, and the average
weight was about eighty pounds, unloaded. The canoes were aptly named.
The Water Sprite belonged to Randy. It was light and graceful, and owing
to its flat bottom drew very little water.

Clay owned the Neptune, a broad decked craft, built somewhat on the
order of the primitive Rob Roy. The Imp was narrow and rakish, with a
low cockpit and a high bow and stern. Nugget regarded it with the
affection that one feels for a favorite dog.

The Pioneer, in which Ned had cruised down the Susquehanna, was a heavy
but neatly proportioned craft, and showed traces of wear and tear. They
all contained spacious hatches fore and aft.

The boxes were unpacked, and under Ned's supervision the contents were
judiciously distributed and stowed away in the different canoes. Then
the seats and back rests were arranged in the cockpits, and the canoes
were gently shoved into the water.

"Do you fellows expect to reach the river in them flimsy things?"
exclaimed the farmer when he saw the four canoes swinging lightly with
the current. "I reckon you'll repent it afore you get many miles from
here."

"Not much danger," replied Ned laughingly. "A good canvas canoe will
stand as much as a rowboat any time. There are no obstructions in the
way, are there?"

"I dunno," replied the farmer. "It's a wild and lonesome bit of country
that this creek runs through, and I've heard tell of bad water an'
whirlpools. The channel winds worse than any serpent. Why, it must be
all of two hundred miles to the Big River."

"I hope you are right there," said Ned heartily, as he climbed out on
his canoe and fixed the pennant securely on the bow. "Take your seats
now," he added to the boys. "Everything's ready for the start."

They obeyed with a rush and a scramble, and Nugget very nearly got a
ducking at the outset by thoughtlessly trying to stand up in the
cockpit.

Good wishes and farewells were exchanged with the friendly farmer. Then
four double paddles dipped the water and rose flashing with silvery
drops, four canoes skimmed gracefully out on the swift blue surface o