to find out and we shall have to drift for
awhile."

"Why not run to land and tie up? We may get in the way of some of the
boats steaming up or down the river if we stay out here."

Alvin scrutinized the eastern bank, which is the upper portion of
Westport, and much nearer than Wiscasset township opposite.

"The water is so deep that I suppose we can touch the bank anywhere
without risk to the hull. All right; feel your way in."

The turning of the boat naturally stirred Mike's curiosity and he came
back to learn the cause, which was soon explained to him.

"Ye have me consint, since I obsarve there's a bit of a town not far off
where we can git enough food to keep off starvation."

Fir, spruce and pines line the shore of this part of Westport, the ground
rising moderately inland. A half mile, more or less, from the river, runs
the public highway from Clough Point, the northern extremity of Westport,
almost to Brooks Point at the extreme southern end, the distance being
something like fifteen miles, the entire length of the island.

The village to which Mike Murphy alluded stands alongside this road, a
half mile from the shore of Back River. There was enough rise to the
ground to show the church steeple and the roofs of the higher buildings.
Perhaps it will be well to give it the name of Beartown, and to say that
it numbered some five hundred inhabitants. Although its main interest was
with the highway alluded to, yet it had considerable trade with the
river, up and down which boats of different tonnage steamed, sailed or
rowed during the day, and occasionally at night. A well-marked road led
from a wharf to the village. Over this freight was drawn to and fro in
wagons, and some of the less important steamers halted for passengers who
liked that way of going up or down stream.

Alvin and Chester thought it better not to stop at the public wharf,
where they were likely to be in the way of larger craft and might draw
unpleasant attention to themselves, while engaged in repairing the
launch. Accordingly, the latter timidly approached the land, several
hundred yards below the wharf. The water possessed that wonderful
clearness which is one of its beautiful peculiarities in Maine. The boat
was far out when the change was made in her course, but she had not gone
far when, looking over the side, the dark, rocky bottom was plainly seen
fully thirty feet below. There was slight decrease in this depth until
the boat was w