.]

THE MORAL PIRATES.

BY W. L. ALDEN.

CHAPTER IX.

The boat was in a shallow part of the river, between the shore and a
long row of piles that marked the steamboat channel. Harry sounded with
an oar, and found that the water was only two feet deep. "We'll have to
get overboard and drag the boat over the piles," said he, "and it's
going to be a mighty hard job too. That swell threw us over as neat as
the bull threw Joe over the fence up at Lenox last summer."

"When I got pitched over that fence I staid there," said Joe. "I didn't
try to get back into the field where the bull was, and I don't see what
we want to get back where the steamboats are for."

"That's so," exclaimed Harry. "We're safe enough here. Let's get the
water out of the boat, and keep on this side of the piles."

When the boat was made dry, and the lighted lantern was hoisted to the
top of the mast, Tom resumed his place at the helm, and Harry and Joe
prepared to take another nap. "I don't want to grumble," said Joe, "but
I wish I didn't have to lie on the coffee-pot and a tin cup. I don't
feel comfortable on that kind of bed."

"I'll change with you if you like," replied Harry. "I'm sleeping on a
beautiful soft bottle of oil, and some sardine boxes; but I don't want
to be selfish and keep the best bed for myself."

"Oh, never mind," returned Joe. "I'll manage to sleep if Jim don't step
on my face. I always did hate to have anybody step on my face when I was
asleep."

"Well, good-night, everybody," said Harry. "I'm going straight to sleep.
Tom, be sure you wake me up if a steamboat tries to climb over these
piles."

This time Tom did not fall asleep at the helm, but the wind gradually
died away, and the sail hung limp and useless. Jim got out the oars
without stepping on anybody, and rowed slowly on. In a little while they
came to the end of the shallow lagoon into which the swell had so
unexpectedly cast them. A sand-bank stretched from the shore to the line
of piles, and it was impossible to go any farther. Tom decided to make
the boat fast to the limb of a willow-tree that projected over the
water, and to go ashore and sleep on the sand. Neither he nor Jim
thought it worth while to wake the other boys; so they gathered up their
blankets, crept quietly out of the boat, and were soon asleep on the
soft, warm sand. When Harry and Joe awoke at daylight, stiff and
cramped, they were disposed to be rather indignant at Tom and Jim, who
we