ertainly: "I'm 'feared you'll find th' work on th' river wearisome,
not bein' used t' un--th' portagin' an' trackin'. I finds un hard."

"That's a part of the game," said Shad. "I expect to do my share of
the work, old man, and I don't think you'll find me a quitter."

"I were knowin', now, you were that kind, ever since I picks you out
o' th' Bay," exclaimed Bob. "You weren't losin' your head, an' by th'
time I h'ists sail you was wringin' th' water outen your shirt, just
as if 'tweren't nothin'. An', Mr. Trowbridge, I likes you ever since."

"Thank you, Bob, but if you want me to be your friend drop the handle
from my name and call me 'Shad.' We're on an equal footing from this
on."

"'Twill be wonderful hard, Mr. Trow--"

"Shad!"

"'Twill be wonderful hard t' call you 'Shad '--it sounds kind of
unrespectful, now."

"Not in the least," laughed Shad. "All the fellows call me Shad."

"I'll try t' think now t' do it, Mr.--I means Shad. But 'tis a rare
queer name."

"Shadrach is the full name. It is pretty awful, isn't it? But doting
parents cast it upon me, and I'll have to hold my head up under it."

"'Tis a Bible name, now. I remembers readin' about Shadrach somewheres
in th' Book o' Daniel."

The canoe and boat had been gradually drawing together and now, within
speaking distance, Bob called out:

"I'm thinkin' me an' Shad'll go on t' th' Traverspine or handy t' un,
an' have th' kettle boiled when you comes up. We ought t' make clost
t' th' Traverspine by noon."

"You an' who?" bawled Dick.

"Me an' Shad--Mr. Trowbridge."

"Oh, aye," answered Dick, "'twill save time."

"Bob's gettin' wonderful unrespectful, callin' Mr. Toobridge 'Shad!'"
remarked Ed.

"'Tain't 'Toobridge,' Ed!" exclaimed Dick, in disgust. "Can't you
remember, now? 'Tis Towbreg--T-o-w-b-r-e-g. You'll be callin' he wrong
t' his face again."

"I'm thinkin' you be right this time, Dick," Ed reluctantly admitted.

The lighter and swifter canoe had already shot ahead and was out of
hearing. Bob's mind filled with plans for the future, Shad enjoying
the wide vista of water and wilderness, they paddled in silence.

The brilliant sunshine, the low, rocky shores, the spruce-clad hills
rising above, with now and again a breath of the perfumed forest
wafted to them upon the breeze, inspired and exhilarated the young
voyageurs. Shad was conscious of a new sense of freedom and power
taking possession of him. The romance of the situation ap